Rotan 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 |
| 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 Rotan lawn year
Rotan's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Mar 17, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 15. 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 Rotan
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Rotan?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 31 – Apr 14 in Rotan, 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 Rotan?
Aim for Feb 24 – Mar 17 — the estimated stretch when Rotan soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Mar 17). 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 Rotan?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Rotan that's typically until Nov 1 – Nov 22, around the average first fall frost (Nov 15). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Rotan?
Texas is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.