Lawn-Care Calendar for Southern California

38K
1.9K
341
2025-11-09
Lawn-Care Calendar for Southern California

Note: Because of this region's climate conditions, a lawn is probably not the most budget-friendly or environmentally responsible choice. Check with your county's cooperative extension service to find out if a lawn makes sense in your area.

Spring

Stop summer weeds: Don't let annual weeds crowd out your lawn this year. Use a pre-emergence herbicide to stop them from growing. Spread the pre-emergence product from mid-February to early March for best results.

Begin mowing: Start mowing your lawn as it begins to grow in late spring.

Don't let thatch build up: Thatch—a layer of old, dead grass stems—can stop air and water from getting to your lawn's root system. Remove the thatch before grass starts growing in summer.

Summer

Fertilize your lawn: Warm-season lawns do best when temperatures are more than 80°F. Start feeding when the weather warms in late April or early May. Feed according to the fertilizer package instructions throughout the summer.

Get rid of grubs: If grubs have been a problem in your neighborhood, use a long-acting grub killer to stop them in early May.

Start a new lawn: Use seed, sprigs, or plugs to start lawns in the summer. Remember that grasses need plenty of water as they become established; never allow a new lawn to dry out.

Keep mowing: You'll probably need to mow regularly in summer. Avoid removing more than a third of the leaf's total blade length at one time: This can stress your lawn.

Aerate hard soil: If your soil is hard and compacted, aerate it in summer to allow air, moisture, and nutrients to reach your lawn's roots more easily.

Water sensibly: Most lawns need regular watering during the summer to keep them green. On average, you'll need to provide about 1 inch of water per week

Fall

There's still more mowing: Keep mowing your lawn as it slows down during the fall season.

Overseed with annual ryegrass: Bermuda grass goes dormant and turns brown in the winter months, so you can overseed it with annual ryegrass. The ryegrass grows and stays green during the cooler months, then dies out once it gets hot— just as your Bermuda grass starts turning green again.

Prevent winter weeds: Stop pesky winter weeds just like you do their summer counterparts: Apply a pre-emergence herbicide from mid-October to mid-November.

Related Article

19 Colorful Window Box Ideas to Brighten Up Your Exterior
3K
301
48

19 Colorful Window Box Ideas to Brighten Up Your Exterior

Use these window box ideas for a no-fail way to dress up your home. We share the right plant combinations to create maximum curb appeal.
Container Gardening for Beginners: 10 Must-Know Tips
46.3K
1.4K
416

Container Gardening for Beginners: 10 Must-Know Tips

Use these container gardening tips for beginners to successfully grow potted plants outdoors.
9 Colorful Plants That Will Thrive on Your Balcony
12.2K
489
58

9 Colorful Plants That Will Thrive on Your Balcony

These balcony plants adapt well to life in a container, and hold up well in the increased heat and wind of their elevated location.
How to Plant and Grow Lisianthus
2.4K
118
47

How to Plant and Grow Lisianthus

Lisianthus flowers come in various romantic colors and add an elegant touch to any garden or floral arrangement.
How to Plant and Grow a Christmas Fern
10.1K
606
254

How to Plant and Grow a Christmas Fern

Learn how to grow Christmas fern, an evergreen perennial that is leafy and green in the deepest winter.
How to Plant and Grow Perennial Peanut
22.3K
1.6K
420

How to Plant and Grow Perennial Peanut

Learn how to grow perennial peanuts for erosion control, weed suppression, and a low maintenance lawn.
How to Prune Roses for Healthier Plants and More Flowers
7.3K
220
105

How to Prune Roses for Healthier Plants and More Flowers

Learn how to prune roses properly so you can keep your rose shrubs, climbers, heirlooms, or modern hybrid roses looking their best through the years.
Garden Privacy Ideas that Incorporate Landscaping and Hardscaping
10.1K
101
43

Garden Privacy Ideas that Incorporate Landscaping and Hardscaping

Check out these garden privacy ideas that include landscaping and hardscaping for creating a beautiful and private oasis in your yard.
How to Prune Basil to Boost Your Harvest
35.5K
354
169

How to Prune Basil to Boost Your Harvest

Learn how to prune basil correctly to delay flowering, encourage more leaves to grow, and take cuttings.
How to Plant and Grow Pineapple Sage
9.5K
569
91

How to Plant and Grow Pineapple Sage

Read this guide to learn how to plant and grow pineapple sage in herb gardens or pollinator habitats!
13 Fast-Growing Trees for a Privacy Screen in Your Yard
42.4K
423
59

13 Fast-Growing Trees for a Privacy Screen in Your Yard

Plant these fast-growing trees and enjoy the beauty—and privacy—of a lush living fence in just a few years.
How to Plant and Grow Purple Hyacinth Bean Vine
33.2K
3.3K
331

How to Plant and Grow Purple Hyacinth Bean Vine

Learn how to grow purple hyacinth bean vine, including planting and care tips, dealing with pests, and propagation.
30 Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens That Thrive in the Heat
11.5K
461
207

30 Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens That Thrive in the Heat

Discover the best native plants for Southern gardens that thrive in local climates. Enhance your landscape with these beautiful, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly options.
Best Plants for Mississippi Landscapes
10K
400
80

Best Plants for Mississippi Landscapes

These award-winning plants are proven successes in landscapes throughout Mississippi and the South.
What Are Cover Crops? And How to Plant Them in Your Home Garden
46.4K
2.8K
1.4K

What Are Cover Crops? And How to Plant Them in Your Home Garden

These step-by-step instructions will help you feed your soil and beat weeds naturally.
How to Make a Mowing Strip
16.4K
655
235

How to Make a Mowing Strip

Leave a 6- to 12-inch-wide mowing strip between the edge of your beds and borders and the lawn. It will help you save time and effort in the garden.
What You Need to Know About Winterizing a Lawn
11.7K
701
196

What You Need to Know About Winterizing a Lawn

Get a jumpstart on a lush, healthy lawn next spring with this guide on winterizing a lawn. Plus, get your lawn mower ready for winter storage.
Enjoy Homegrown Produce With This Large-Scale Vegetable Garden Plan
49.8K
2.5K
1.2K

Enjoy Homegrown Produce With This Large-Scale Vegetable Garden Plan

If you've never planted a large vegetable garden before, you'll want to try out our large vegetable garden layout plans. We'll help you know how to select cold season vs. warm season vegetables and where to plant them for maximum effect.
This Easy-Care Butterfly Garden Plan Will Attract Tons of Pollinators
31.8K
1.6K
636

This Easy-Care Butterfly Garden Plan Will Attract Tons of Pollinators

Use this gorgeous butterfly garden plan to create a bed of flowers that will bring beautiful and beneficial insects to your garden.
This Annual Garden for Full Sun Will Fill Your Yard with Color
17.9K
715
164

This Annual Garden for Full Sun Will Fill Your Yard with Color

Create an easy-care bed of flowers that will look gorgeous from spring until frost.