Spring arrives early in Florida. By mid-February, warm-season grasses across the state are starting to green up, and by March most lawns are actively growing. That makes early spring one of the most important windows for setting your lawn up for success.

Here’s what Florida homeowners should be doing right now.

Know Your Grass Type

Florida lawns are dominated by a handful of warm-season grasses, each with its own spring care needs:

  • St. Augustine grass — The most popular choice across the state, especially in Central and South Florida. Comes out of dormancy quickly and needs attention to fungal disease prevention early in the season.
  • Bahia grass — Common in North and Central Florida. Low-maintenance but prone to dollar weed and dallisgrass invasion in spring.
  • Zoysia grass — Finer texture, slower to green up, but very heat- and drought-tolerant once established.
  • Bermuda grass — Best for full-sun, high-traffic areas. Greens up fast and responds well to early spring fertilization.

Pre-Emergent: Don’t Skip This Step

March is the window for applying pre-emergent herbicide before summer weeds germinate. Aim for application when soil temperatures reach 55°F (typically late February to early March in South Florida, early to mid-March in North Florida).

Dollarweed, crabgrass, and torpedograss are the primary targets. Once these weeds are established, they’re much harder to control — prevention is far more effective than treatment.

First Fertilizer Application

Wait until your grass is actively growing before fertilizing — typically after it has completed about 50% green-up. Applying too early can stimulate top growth while roots are still weak, increasing disease susceptibility.

Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 NPK ratio. Avoid quick-release nitrogen in spring, which can fuel excessive growth and fungal issues during humid weather.

Irrigation Check

Before peak season arrives, inspect your irrigation system for:

  • Clogged or misaligned heads
  • Broken lines from winter activity
  • Controller settings (spring programs should water 2–3 times per week, early morning)

Florida’s rainy season doesn’t begin until June, so efficient irrigation matters now. Overwatering in spring is the number one trigger for gray leaf spot in St. Augustine lawns.

Pest Scouting

Chinch bugs become active when temperatures consistently reach the mid-70s. Start checking St. Augustine lawns in sunny, dry areas — look for yellowing patches that don’t respond to watering. Early intervention keeps populations manageable.

Also watch for sod webworm damage, which shows up as irregular brown patches with chewed grass blades near the soil surface.

Mowing: Get the Height Right

Start mowing as soon as your lawn begins active growth:

  • St. Augustine: 3.5–4 inches
  • Bahia: 3–4 inches
  • Zoysia: 1.5–2.5 inches
  • Bermuda: 1–1.5 inches

Never remove more than one-third of the blade height in a single mowing. Spring scalping weakens turf and opens the door to weed pressure.

Want the complete Florida lawn care reference? Lush Lawns: Florida covers year-round maintenance schedules, grass variety selection, sandy soil solutions, pest management, and hurricane recovery — everything Florida homeowners need to maintain a lush lawn in the Sunshine State.