Warm-Season Lawn Tips for February
Warm-season lawns include bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, and St. Augustinegrass.
- February and March are the time to apply pre-emergent herbicides! When our first flowers begin to bloom, like forsythia, this indicates that the soil is warm enough for spring annual weeds to begin germinating. Select pre-emergent herbicides for weeds like crabgrass, goosegrass, and others. Remember: always follow the label instructions for how and when to apply herbicides or reach out to your county Extension office for recommendations.
- You can also continue applying post-emergent herbicides for broadleaf winter weeds, like chickweed, wild violet, and dandelion.
- This is the best time to lime your lawn. Applying lime raises your soil pH to a level that turfgrass likes. Always apply lime based on recent soil test results. Contact your county Extension office for soil testing information.
- It’s not ideal to lay new warm-season sod during the winter, but it is possible. If you do install dormant sod, make sure to water it regularly. This means keeping it moist for 30 days. Read SuperSod’s article, How to Lay Dormant Sod, for more information. If you can wait, the best time to lay warm-season sod in Georgia is May through August.
- Remember: don’t fertilize or aerate warm-season lawns in the winter and early spring! Wait to fertilize when your lawn begins to green up in the mid- to late spring. This includes “weed and feed” products. Anything that claims to “feed” your lawn likely contains nitrogen, which will kickstart the growing process. This is a surefire way to damage your warm season lawn.
Cool-Season Lawn Tips for February
Cool-season lawns include tall fescue, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, rough bluegrass, and ryegrass.
- Continue mowing and watering cool-season lawns regularly. Mow tall fescue to a height of 2”-3” and never remove more than 1/3 of the total height at one time. Turf should get about 1” of water per week. Keep in mind that rainfall contributes to this amount, and adjust your irrigation as necessary.
- February is one of two ideal times of year to lay cool-season sod. The other best time is October. Before laying new sod, make sure that you’re testing, amending, tilling, and grading your soil. Check out this article for more information: Laying Sod in Georgia for Best Results
- This is the best time to lime your lawn. Applying lime raises your soil pH to a level that turfgrass likes. Always apply lime based on recent soil test results. Contact your county Extension office for soil testing information.
- As with warm-season lawns, February and March is the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicides for spring annual weeds. Continue applying post-emergent herbicides if necessary.
- You can aerate in February, but wait until March for best results.
If you have questions about your lawn, don’t hesitate to contact us at one of our offices.
Learn More
Bermudagrass Lawn Calendar
Zoysiagrass Lawn Calendar
Centipedegrass Lawn Calendar
St. Augustinegrass Lawn Calendar
Tall Fescue Lawn Calendar
