Lafayette 13 SE lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| March | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| April | First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| May | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| June | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| July | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| August | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| September | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| October | Last nitrogen of the year |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Lafayette 13 SE lawn year
Lafayette 13 SE's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Feb 19, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Dec 1. The two dates to respect most are the pre-emergent deadline in late winter — southern soil warms early — and the last-nitrogen cutoff 6–8 weeks before frost, which protects the lawn from winter injury.
Grasses that fit Lafayette 13 SE
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Lafayette 13 SE?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 5 – Mar 19 in Lafayette 13 SE, once soil has warmed well past the last frost. That gives new grass a full growing season to mature before its first winter dormancy.
When do I put down crabgrass preventer in Lafayette 13 SE?
Aim for Jan 29 – Feb 19 — the estimated stretch when Lafayette 13 SE soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Feb 19). It's an estimate: a soil thermometer reading 50–55°F at 2″ depth for several days is the precise trigger, and pre-emergent must go down before crabgrass sprouts, not after.
When should I stop mowing in Lafayette 13 SE?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Lafayette 13 SE that's typically until Nov 17 – Dec 8, around the average first fall frost (Dec 1). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Lafayette 13 SE?
Louisiana is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.