Whether you have a zoysia, centipede, fescue, St. Augustine or bermuda yard, a structured, month-by-month care plan ensures your lawn thrives through every season. This comprehensive calendar outlines essential seasonal tasks—fertilization, mowing, pest control, watering and more—tailored to Carolinas’ climate and Carolina Fresh Farms’ lawn care programs.

January – Preparation & Planning

• General Tasks: Use this dormant period to evaluate last year’s lawn results and prepare your product list for the new season.
• Product Tip: Pick up a soil sample kit from your nearest Carolina Fresh Farms center to get ready for spring.

February – Pre-Emergent Protection

• Apply: 0-0-7 Prodiamine to stop early spring and summer weeds like crabgrass.
• Timing: February 21 – March 15
• Recommended For: All warm season grass types (zoysia, centipede, St. Augustine, bermuda).

March – Soil Testing & Early Season Prep

• Soil Testing: Check pH and nutrient levels.
  • Ideal pH ranges:
    • Zoysia, bermuda, fescue, St. Augustine: 6.3–7.0
    • Centipede: 5.7–6.3
• Aeration: For warm season grasses (especially high-traffic areas).
  • Timing: March 15 – April 30
• Apply to Fescue:
  • Product: 16-0-8 0.38% Barricade
  • Timing: March 1 – March 15
• Bonus: Carolina Fresh Farms provides free soil analysis.

April – Boost Roots & Prevent Fungus

• Fertilizer: Apply 16-25-12 with MESA to encourage spring root development in warm season grasses.
• Fungicides: Rotate between Headway, Eagle and Armada to avoid resistance.
• Timing: April 1 – May 15
• Ideal For: Zoysia, bermuda, St. Augustine and centipede (prone to spring fungus).

May – Fertilization & Insect Control

• Apply to Most Grasses:
  • Product: 19-0-6 Confront 3/Dimension (fertilizer + weed control)
  • Grasses: Zoysia, St. Augustine, fescue, bermuda
• Apply to Centipede:
  • Product: 20-0-25 EXPO
• All Grass Types:
  • Insect Control: 0-0-7 Allectus for ants and grubs
• Fungicide Rotation: Begin for fescue and bermuda (brown patch, dollar spot).
• Timing: May 15 – May 21

June – Summer Growth Begins

• Warm Season Grasses:
  • Product: 20-0-25 EXPO for slow-release nitrogen + potassium
  • Timing:
    • Bermuda: June 1 – June 15
    • Zoysia/St. Augustine: June 21 – July 1
• Fescue (Late June):
  • Product: 6-1-11 7% Fe—enhances color without excessive growth
  • Timing: June 21 – July 7
• Fungicide: Continue for fescue and bermuda

July – Monitor & Maintain

• Apply:
  • 25-0-5 MESA for fescue and bermuda
  • 6-1-11 7% Fe for centipede (color without overgrowth)
• Watch For: Brown patch, dollar spot and heat stress
• Watering: Deeply 1–1.5″ per week, spread over 2–3 sessions

August – Prepare for Fall Transition

• Early August (1–15):
  • Apply 6-1-11 7% Fe to zoysia and St. Augustine
• Mid to Late August:
  • Apply 0-0-7 Acelepryn (grub + armyworm control) to all grasses (Aug 15–31)
  • Apply 20-0-25 EXPO to bermuda (Aug 7–21)
  • Begin fungicide rotation for St. Augustine (Aug 15 – Sept 15)
• Fescue Soil Test: Recommended during August

September – Fescue Recovery & Seeding

• Seeding: Apply Carolina Blue II Fescue Blend
• Starter Fertilizer: 16-25-12 with MESA
• Timing: September 15 – September 30
• Aeration: Essential for fescue and high-traffic areas

October – Weed Control Before Winter

• Warm Season Grasses:
  • Apply: 0-0-7 Prodiamine for Poa annua and other winter weeds
  • Timing: October 1 – October 21
• Fescue:
  • Apply: 25-0-5 51% MESA to mature the lawn
  • Timing: October 30 – November 7

November – Final Fertilization (Cool Season Lawns)

• Apply:
  • 25-0-5 MESA to mature tall fescue lawns
• Timing: Oct 30–Dec 31

December – Rest and Reflect

• Tasks: Perform equipment maintenance, plan for reseeding (if needed) and address any drainage concerns.

Additional Lawn Care Essentials

Mowing Best Practices

• Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.
• Ensure mower blades are sharp to avoid damaging the grass.

Watering Strategy

• Water deeply 2–3 times/week in early morning (not daily, not midday).
• Avoid shallow watering—it encourages weak roots.

Aeration

• Perform every 2 years (or annually for high-traffic areas).
• Best timing: growing season (spring/summer for warm season, fall for fescue).

Trusted Products from Carolina Fresh Farms

• Fertilizers: 20-0-25 EXPO, 16-25-12 with MESA, 6-1-11 Fe
• Weed Control: 0-0-7 Prodiamine 0.38%, 16-0-8 0.38% Barricade, 19-0-6 Confront 3/Dimension, 25-0-5 51% MESA
• Insect Control: Allectus, Acelepryn
• Fungicides: Headway, Eagle, Pillar, Armada

Visit one of Carolina Fresh Farms’ seven convenient locations across South Carolina or explore products and maintenance programs at www.CarolinaFreshFarms.com. Get expert guidance, free soil tests and premium products year-round.