How to Prep Your Lawn for Spring in North Florida

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If your lawn is looking a little dull, patchy, or brown right now — don’t panic. In North Florida, most warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia go dormant during the cooler months. That means what you’re seeing is completely normal.

But as we start coming out of winter and inching toward spring, now is the time to get ahead of the growing season. A little prep work now will set your lawn up to green up faster, grow thicker, and handle heat much better once those Florida temps start climbing.

1. Don’t Rush the Fertilizer

This is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make.

It’s tempting to throw fertilizer down the first warm week we get, but in North Florida you typically want to wait until your grass is actively growing again — not just waking up. That usually means consistent daytime temps in the 70s and no more real cold snaps. (We're probably looking at late February or early March)

Fertilizing too early can:

  • Push weak growth

  • Stress the grass

  • Increase the risk of disease

Once you see consistent green-up across your lawn, use a balanced fertilizer designed for your specific grass type. Slow-release options work best because they feed your lawn steadily instead of all at once.

2. Apply Pre-Emergent Before It’s Too Late

If you deal with a lot of weeds in your lawn every year, this step is huge.

Pre-emergent herbicides stop summer weeds (like crabgrass) before they even sprout. The key word here is before. Once weeds pop up, pre-emergent won’t help.

In North Florida, late winter to very early spring is usually the window. Soil temperatures around 55–65 degrees are ideal. If you wait until it feels “warm,” you’re probably already behind.

This one step can save you a lot of frustration later.

3. Get Ahead of Lawn Pests

Chinch bugs, mole crickets, and other lawn pests love warm weather — and they don’t waste time once it arrives.

Applying a preventative insect control treatment in early spring, before the days get too hot, can make a big difference. Waiting until you see damage usually means they’ve already been feeding for a while.

Preventative treatments are typically easier (and cheaper) than trying to fix a full-blown infestation in July.

4. Rake & Clean Up

Dormant grass can leave behind thatch, fallen leaves, and debris that block sunlight and airflow.

Give your lawn a light rake to:

  • Remove dead material

  • Improve air circulation

  • Help sunlight reach the soil

  • Make room for new growth

You don’t need to scalp your lawn — just tidy it up so it can breathe.

5. Check Your Irrigation

Before spring really kick in, it’s a good idea to:

  • Check sprinkler heads

  • Make sure coverage is even

  • Look for leaks or broken lines

In North Florida, we typically don’t need heavy watering early in the season. Overwatering too soon can encourage fungus. Let your lawn wake up naturally, and only water when needed.

6. Mow Smart When It Greens Up

Once your lawn starts actively growing, raise your mower blade.

Warm-season grasses do best when they’re not cut too short, with the exception of Bermuda which likes to be kept short. Scalping can stress the lawn just as it’s trying to grow. Taller grass also helps crowd out weeds and shade the soil.

The Bottom Line

Spring lawn success in North Florida is all about timing.

  • Don’t fertilize too early

  • Get pre-emergent down before weeds sprout

  • Treat for bugs before they take over

  • Clean things up and mow properly

A little effort now means a thicker, greener, healthier lawn when we hit those hot Florida months.

If you’re not sure what your lawn needs — or when — stop by your local Sod Lot store location and we’ll be happy to help. Getting it right early makes all the difference. 🌱



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