Maintaining a beautiful lawn in the River Parishes requires different approaches throughout the year. Louisiana's unique climate presents distinct challenges and opportunities in each season. Follow this comprehensive seasonal guide to keep your LaPlace lawn healthy and vibrant year-round.
🌸 Spring Lawn Care (March - May)
Spring is when your warm-season grass wakes up and begins active growth. This is the most critical season for establishing a healthy lawn that will thrive all summer.
Early Spring (March)
- Clean up debris: Remove leaves, sticks, and winter debris
- Aerate: Core aerate compacted areas to improve water penetration
- Pre-emergent herbicide: Apply by mid-March to prevent crabgrass and other summer weeds
- Mowing: Begin mowing when grass reaches 4 inches (gradually lower to 3 inches)
- Check irrigation: Test sprinkler system and repair any damage
Late Spring (April - May)
- First fertilization: Apply slow-release nitrogen fertilizer when grass greens up
- Increase watering: 1 inch per week as temperatures rise
- Fill bare spots: Sod or seed thin areas (sod is better for St. Augustine)
- Edge beds: Create clean lines between lawn and flower beds
- Grub control: Apply preventative if you had problems last year
☀️ Summer Lawn Care (June - August)
Summer in LaPlace means heat, humidity, and active grass growth. Your lawn is working hard during these months and needs consistent care to stay healthy.
Maintenance Tasks
- Mowing: Weekly at 3-3.5 inches (never remove more than 1/3 of blade)
- Watering: Deep watering 2-3 times per week in early morning
- Fertilize: Light application of 15-0-15 in June (optional mid-summer boost)
- Weed control: Spot-treat weeds with post-emergent herbicide
- Pest watch: Monitor for chinch bugs, armyworms, and grubs
- Blade sharpness: Keep mower blades sharp to prevent disease
Summer Stress Management
- Avoid fertilizing during extreme heat (95°F+)
- Water stressed areas more frequently
- Limit foot traffic on heat-stressed grass
- Watch for brown patch fungus after heavy rains
🍂 Fall Lawn Care (September - November)
Fall is the second-most important season for Louisiana lawns. Cooler temperatures make it ideal for major lawn improvements and preparation for winter.
Early Fall (September)
- Aeration: Core aerate again to improve soil health before winter
- Overseeding: Not needed for warm-season grass, but good for thin areas
- Fertilization: Final feeding with balanced fertilizer (September-October)
- Weed control: Apply pre-emergent for winter weeds
- Repair: Last chance to install sod before dormancy
Late Fall (October - November)
- Leaf removal: Don't let leaves smother grass (mulch or remove)
- Mowing height: Gradually raise to 3.5-4 inches
- Reduce watering: Cut back to 1 time per week
- Final mow: Continue until grass stops growing (usually late November)
- Winterize equipment: Service mowers and irrigation system
❄️ Winter Lawn Care (December - February)
Warm-season grasses go dormant and turn brown in winter. While your lawn needs minimal care, there are still important tasks to maintain its health.
Winter Maintenance
- Limit traffic: Dormant grass is fragile and easily damaged
- Minimal watering: Only if no rain for 2+ weeks (0.5 inch)
- NO fertilizer: Never fertilize dormant grass
- Debris removal: Keep lawn clear of leaves and debris
- Plan ahead: Order sod/supplies for spring installation
Freeze Protection
- Don't worry if grass turns brown – this is normal
- Avoid walking on frosted grass
- Clear ice from walkways without damaging grass edges
- LaPlace rarely gets hard freezes, but cover sensitive plants when forecast
Year-Round Best Practices
- Never bag clippings: Leave them on lawn for natural fertilizer (unless excessively long)
- Mow when dry: Wet grass spreads disease and clumps unevenly
- Vary mowing pattern: Change direction each week to prevent ruts
- Sharp blades: Sharpen mower blades 2-3 times per season
- Soil test: Test pH every 2-3 years (Louisiana soil often needs lime)
Professional Seasonal Services
Don't have time for all this maintenance? Xcellent1 Lawn Care offers comprehensive seasonal lawn care programs throughout the River Parishes. We handle everything from mowing and fertilization to pest control and aeration, customized to Louisiana's unique climate.