Warm season grasses are a popular choice for lawns in Florida. These turf grasses thrive in the region’s hot and humid climate. The deep root system of warm season grasses helps them access moisture from the soil during dry spells, while their ability to tolerate heat allows them to maintain their vibrant green color.
What Is Warm Season Grass?
Most people don’t realize that there are two main types of grass: cold season grass and warm season grass. As the name implies, warm season grass is grass that thrives in warm or hot temperatures. There are many species of warm weather grass, but the most common varieties you’ll find here in Florida include:
- Bermuda grass
- Centipede grass
- Zoysia grass
- Bahia grass
- St. Augustine grass
Warm Season Grass Care Tips
With proper care, including regular mowing, adequate watering, and appropriate fertilization, warm season grasses can create a beautiful, resilient, drought-tolerant lawn.
- Watering: Water your warm season grass in the early morning, once or twice a week, to a depth of 6 inches. Use a rain gauge or a screwdriver to measure the water penetration. Avoid overwatering or watering at night, which can lead to fungus and weeds.
- Mowing: Mow your lawn when it starts to get tall to keep it tidy and healthy. The mowing height varies with the warm season grass type. Generally, cut at most one-third of the blade at once to avoid stressing the grass and inviting pests and diseases.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize your lawn to give your grass the nutrients it needs. Fertilize in late spring or early summer. Use a slow-release fertilizer made for warm season grasses and follow the label directions. Do not fertilize in late fall or winter, as this can lead to new growth that will likely freeze. Also, do not use too much fertilizer or nitrogen, which can attract pests and promote thatch buildup.
- Pest Control: Pest control is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn. Common pests for warm season grasses are chinch bugs, mole crickets, grubs, armyworms, fire ants, crabgrass, dandelions, and nutsedge. An integrated pest management approach that combines cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods is essential to stop or control warm season grass pests. Manual removal of weeds and attracting beneficial insects that prey on harmful pests are helpful.
Trust the Professionals
Maintaining a healthy lawn can be both rewarding and challenging. Save time and effort by entrusting your lawn care to Florida Pest Control, a reputable professional lawn and pest control provider. Our experts offer comprehensive lawn care solutions, including soil testing and fertilization, weed and insect control, disease prevention, aeration, and grass care. Lawn care professionals ensure your warm season grass receives the best possible care.
If you seek affordable and dependable lawn care services in Florida, look no further than Florida Pest Control. We have been offering top-notch pest control and lawn care solutions since 1949. We have experienced technicians to care for warm season grasses in your lawn. We provide free estimates and flexible maintenance plans tailored to your requirements and budget. Contact us now to learn more about our lawn care services.
