Saucier Exp Forest lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| March | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up |
| April | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| May | 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 | Last nitrogen of the year |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
Reading the Saucier Exp Forest lawn year
Saucier Exp Forest's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Mar 7, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 22. 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 Saucier Exp Forest
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Saucier Exp Forest?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 21 – Apr 4 in Saucier Exp Forest, 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 Saucier Exp Forest?
Aim for Feb 14 – Mar 7 — the estimated stretch when Saucier Exp Forest soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Mar 7). 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 Saucier Exp Forest?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Saucier Exp Forest that's typically until Nov 8 – Nov 29, around the average first fall frost (Nov 22). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Saucier Exp Forest?
Mississippi is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.