Lawn-Care Calendar for Southern California

2015-06-09
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

A French Kitchen Garden Plan Filled with Fresh Flavors and Scents

A French Kitchen Garden Plan Filled with Fresh Flavors and Scents

Our French kitchen garden plan filled with fresh flavors and scents is inspired by old-world monastery gardens.
How to Bottle Feed Your Newborn Kittens

How to Bottle Feed Your Newborn Kittens

Sometimes mother cats cannot nurse all of her kittens in a litter and you will need to step in. Learn how to properly bottle feed a newborn kitten.
Nose Bleeds in Dogs

Nose Bleeds in Dogs

Nose bleeds can be the sign of a more serious, underlying issue. Learn about what they could be from and what you can do if your dog suffers from one.
Toxic Chemicals & Household Items That Can Poison Dogs

Toxic Chemicals & Household Items That Can Poison Dogs

There are many things in and around your home that can endanger your dog. Learn which chemicals and household items can poisin your dog.
Choking in Dogs

Choking in Dogs

A dog can occasionally swallow something incorrectly and start choking. Find out how you can tell if your dog is choking and what you can do about it.
Eclampsia in Dogs

Eclampsia in Dogs

Eclampsia is a complication in some lactating dogs that involves low calcium levels. Learn about eclampsia in dogs and find out what to do about it.
Everything You Need to Know About Landscape Edging

Everything You Need to Know About Landscape Edging

Landscape edging supplies a crisp edge between different areas of your yard. Use this guide to select the best edging for your garden design.
17 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas That Boost Curb Appeal

17 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas That Boost Curb Appeal

Add value to your home with updates that are attractive and functional front yard landscaping ideas.
Baking Soda for Plants? Here’s Why That’s Not a Good Idea

Baking Soda for Plants? Here’s Why That’s Not a Good Idea

Baking soda for plants causes more harm than good. Find out why and discover safer alternatives to help your garden thrive.
Fun Facts and Cute Photos of Corgi Puppies

Fun Facts and Cute Photos of Corgi Puppies

Learn fascinating facts about Pembroke Corgis, and check out some cute pictures of baby Corgis here.
This Caramel Apple Dump Cake Is Sticky-Sweet Perfection

This Caramel Apple Dump Cake Is Sticky-Sweet Perfection

This apple caramel dump cake recipe relies on just a few inexpensive ingredients and it's ready with just 5 minutes of prep.
These Retro Cornflake Cookies Are Rich and Buttery with the Perfect Crunch

These Retro Cornflake Cookies Are Rich and Buttery with the Perfect Crunch

A few ingredients set this cookie recipe apart from the others. Crunchy cornflakes, toasted nuts, and quick-cooking oats add both texture and flavor. Here's how to make our Test Kitchen's take on classic cornflake cookies, including tips for making and storing the cookies up to three months ahead.
Tofu Spring Rolls

Tofu Spring Rolls

Vegetable spring rolls recipes are an ideal low-calorie, gluten free, and vegetarian appetizer for your next cocktail or dinner party. You can also serve these quick and easy tofu spring rolls as a starter before your favorite Asian entree.
Garden Tea Punch

Garden Tea Punch

Try different mint flavors, such as spearmint, apple, orange, and peppermint, in this fizzy fruit and tea punch.
Holiday Wassail

Holiday Wassail

This wassail recipe combines apple cider and roasted apples to make kid-friendly wassail. Find out the origin of wassail, how to make wassail, and what is wassailing.
Garden Stir-Fry

Garden Stir-Fry

Grab all your extra garden veggies and use them up in this easy stir-fry recipe. Cauliflower, green beans, summer squash, and sweet peppers are all welcome, and you can mix up the veggie combo you use each time depending on what you have on hand.
Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

This crispy eggplant Parmesan is short on calories but big on flavor.
Almond Butter, Fruit, and Oat Breakfast Cookies

Almond Butter, Fruit, and Oat Breakfast Cookies

Have dessert for breakfast with these healthy, nutrient-packed breakfast cookies. They combine the creamy texture of almond butter with the bright taste of fruits, all mellowed out by sweet, thick molasses.
8 Chicken Sandwich Recipes That Are Way Better than Fast Food

8 Chicken Sandwich Recipes That Are Way Better than Fast Food

From copycat fast food meals to creative new chicken sandwich recipes, there's something for everyone on this list of 8 dishes that are easy to make.
Portobello Pot Roast

Portobello Pot Roast

Meaty portobellos stand in for beef in this vegetarian portobello pot roast that's as rich as the classic but cooks in a fraction of the time.