Step-By-Step: A Lawn Care Program for Warm Season Grass
A structured lawn care program gives your yard the consistent treatments it needs for year-round health and beauty.
Did you know a single crabgrass plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds in just one season? That’s why missing even one pre-emergent application can throw off your entire lawn for years. But with the right lawn care program, you can stop weeds before they start and keep your grass green, thick, and healthy all year long.
Think of it like a fitness plan—if you only eat healthy now and then or exercise randomly, you won’t see results. But with a structured plan, everything starts working together. Your lawn is no different. Each step in the program builds on the last, creating a strong foundation that supports weed control, disease prevention, and lush turf growth.
Season/Timeframe | Treatment Round(s) | Primary Focus | What’s Applied | Key Benefits |
Winter (Jan–Mar) | Rounds 1 & 2 | Early weed prevention, soil prep | Pre-emergents (Prodiamine/Dimension), Post-emergents | Stops weed seeds before they sprout, strengthens lawn base |
Spring (Mar–Apr) | Round 3 | Disease & insect prevention during green-up | Preventive fungicides, Insecticides (grubs, fire ants, mole crickets) | Protects tender grass from spring threats |
Late Spring–Summer | Rounds 4–6 | Feeding, weed control, pest protection | Fertilizers (15-0-15 or 22-0-12), Post-emergents, Insecticides | Promotes lush growth and keeps weeds/pests in check |
Early Fall (Aug–Oct) | Round 7 | Strengthening roots, winter weed prevention | 0-0-22 Potassium fertilizer, Pre- and Post-emergents, Fungicide | Builds stress tolerance and stops early fall weeds |
Late Fall–Winter | Rounds 8 & 9 | Disease control, pre-winter weed defense | Fungicides, Pre- and Post-emergents, Simazine | Keeps lawn healthy into dormancy and sets up spring success |
Ongoing | N/A | Mowing & maintenance support | Proper height, sharp blades, regular frequency (varies by grass type) | Supports results from the treatment plan |
Timeline for Results | N/A | Realistic expectations for lawn transformation | Consistent treatments over 18–24 months | Noticeable results in weeks, full transformation over time |
Why Random Treatments Don’t Work
Most homeowners treat lawn care like a reaction. They spray weeds when they appear or spread fertilizer when grass looks tired. But this piecemeal approach rarely produces lasting results.
That’s because healthy turf depends on consistency. A good lawn care program isn’t reactive—it’s proactive. Here’s why:
- Pre-emergents and post-emergents control weeds at every stage.
- Fertilizers strengthen roots and boost growth.
- Fungicides and insecticides stop disease and pests before they spread.
- Lawn mowing service supports treatment success by encouraging healthy growth.
With the right seasonal lawn treatment plan, your yard stays ahead of issues—so you don’t fall behind.
Rounds 1 & 2 (January–March): Weed Prevention Starts Early
We begin the year strong with two critical weed control treatments.
What’s included:
- Pre-emergents like Prodiamine or Dimension to block crabgrass and other weeds from germinating.
- Post-emergents to tackle any broadleaf weeds that survived winter.
These first rounds are vital. They create a soil barrier that shuts down weeds before they surface and rob your grass of sunlight, water, and nutrients.
If weeds are a recurring problem, consider pairing this with our complete weed control services for long-term results.
Round 3 (March–April): Disease and Pest Defense
As temperatures rise, so does disease and insect activity. Round 3 focuses on prevention.
Here’s what we apply:
- Preventive fungicides to protect against large patch and foliar diseases.
- Insecticides for fire ants, grubs, and mole crickets—pests that do serious damage underground.
We hold off on herbicides during this round to avoid stressing warm-season grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine as they come out of dormancy. Instead, we focus on keeping the lawn strong during green-up.
If your lawn is struggling to green up, poor irrigation could be a factor. We recommend inspecting your system with sprinkler maintenance or irrigation maintenance services.
Rounds 4–6 (May–August): Growth, Feeding, and Protection
Now your grass is growing fast. These three rounds focus on fertilization, weed control, and pest management to keep your turf healthy through the heat of summer.
Round 4 (May–June):
- 15-0-15 fertilizer for Centipede and St. Augustine.
- 22-0-12 fertilizer for Bermuda and Zoysia.
- Post-emergents for sedges and broadleaf weeds.
Round 5 (June–July):
- Continued fertilizer based on grass type.
- Insecticides for fire ants, grubs, and more.
- Targeted weed control for anything that sneaks through.
Round 6 (July–August):
- Fertilizer to maintain growth as summer winds down.
- Post-emergents to clear late-season weeds.
- Protection against armyworms and sod webworms that strike fast and hard.
These rounds keep your grass fed, weed-free, and protected from the most aggressive summer pests.
This is also a great time to consider topdressing and lawn leveling to improve soil structure and smooth out uneven areas.
Round 7 (August–October): Strength Before Fall
As fall approaches, it’s time to shift focus to winter prep.
What’s included:
- 0-0-22 Potassium fertilizer to improve root strength and stress tolerance.
- Pre-emergents for winter weeds like Poa Annua.
- Post-emergents to clean up any existing weeds.
- Fungicide for Large Patch and other fall-active diseases.
This round gives your lawn the boost it needs to survive colder months ahead while keeping weed pressure under control.
Rounds 8–9 (October–December): Final Prep for Dormancy
These last rounds of the lawn care program focus on disease prevention and winter weed control.
Round 8 (October–November):
- Curative and preventive fungicides to control active Large Patch and other fall diseases.
Round 9 (November–December):
- Pre-emergents and post-emergents to prevent and control Poa Annua and broadleaf weeds.
- Simazine for an added layer of winter weed prevention.
This end-of-year push ensures your lawn stays protected as it enters dormancy and comes back stronger in the spring.
How Long Until You See Results?
We hear this question often. The answer depends on your lawn’s current condition. However:
- Most homeowners see improvement in a few weeks.
- A full transformation can take 18 to 24 months.
- Each treatment builds on the last—there’s no skipping steps.
If you’ve never followed a structured lawn care program before, it’s never too late to start. Even beginning mid-year brings benefits and gets your lawn moving in the right direction.
If you’re unsure when or how to begin, our lawn treatment experts can help create a custom plan based on your property’s needs.
Don’t Forget: Mowing Matters, Too
The best lawn care program can only take you so far—mowing correctly is the finishing touch that supports every treatment.
- Always use sharp mower blades to avoid tearing the grass.
- Adjust mowing height based on your grass type:
- St. Augustine prefers a taller cut.
- Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede perform better with lower mowing heights.
- Maintain a consistent mowing schedule during the growing season.
Your mowing habits can either boost the results of your lawn care program—or work against it.
Final Thoughts
A structured lawn care program isn’t just a series of treatments—it’s a long-term strategy. When applied at the right times throughout the year, each round builds on the last, helping your lawn grow thicker, resist weeds, fight off pests, and bounce back from seasonal stress.
Understanding what happens in each season helps you make informed decisions about how to care for your lawn. Whether you’re following a professional plan or managing things on your own, the key is consistency and timing.
For even better results, consider pairing your treatment schedule with proper mowing, irrigation, and soil care practices. With the right approach, your warm-season lawn can thrive all year long.