La Joya lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Growth stops — final mow |
| February | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| March | First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| April | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| 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 | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| November | Last nitrogen of the year |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the La Joya lawn year
La Joya's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Jan 23, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Dec 28. 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 La Joya
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in La Joya?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Feb 6 – Feb 20 in La Joya, 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 La Joya?
Aim for Jan 2 – Jan 23 — the estimated stretch when La Joya soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Jan 23). 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 La Joya?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in La Joya that's typically until Dec 14 – Jan 4, around the average first fall frost (Dec 28). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in La Joya?
Texas is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.