Fulton 3 W lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| February | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| March | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| April | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| May | First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| 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 | Last nitrogen of the year |
| October | Growth stops — final mow |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
Reading the Fulton 3 W lawn year
Fulton 3 W's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Apr 1, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Oct 31. 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 Fulton 3 W
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Fulton 3 W?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Apr 15 – Apr 29 in Fulton 3 W, 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 Fulton 3 W?
Aim for Mar 11 – Apr 1 — the estimated stretch when Fulton 3 W soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Apr 1). 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 Fulton 3 W?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Fulton 3 W that's typically until Oct 17 – Nov 7, around the average first fall frost (Oct 31). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Fulton 3 W?
Mississippi is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.