How to: Lawn Care in South Georgia

By Home & Garden Last updated Friday, May/17/2024

Establishment

1). Take soil samples from your lawn, and contact your local extension service or nursery for advice on fertilizer and lime applications.
2). Remove all debris from the lawn area, including rocks, large roots and tree stumps.
3). Apply fertilizer and lime according to the results of the soil test. Mix lime with the top 3 to 5 inches of soil. Mix fertilizer with the top 1 to 3 inches of soil. A typical lawn would need 20 to 30 pounds of commercial grade fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet. Some common starter fertilizers include 5-10-15, 6-12-12, 5-10-10 and 7-14-21.
4). Use a mechanical seeder to sow grass seeds. For annual rye grass, seed 5 to 10 lbs. for every 1,000 square feet in September to November. From May to June, sow 1 to 2 lbs. of hulled common Bermuda grass, 1/4 to 1/2 lb. of centipede grass, or 1 to 3 lbs. of carpet grass for every 1,000 square feet.
5). Water the lawn lightly and frequently. To keep the surface from drying, water daily for the first two to three weeks. Decrease the frequency and increase the amount of water applied as the seedlings develop.

1). Mow the grass to keep it within the recommended range of height. The heights for south Georgia grasses are 1 to 1 1/2 inch for centipede grass, and 1 to 2 inches for common Bermuda grass, carpet grass, and rye grass.
2). Apply enough water to soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches every week. Water the lawn after sunset and before sunrise to avoid diseases.
3). Apply pre-emergence herbicides, which prevent weeds from growing in the lawn before they appear. Apply herbicides for crabgrass and other annual grasses between February 15 and March 5, when temperatures drop below 55 degrees. Apply herbicides for annual bluegrass and some winter annual broadleaf weeds between October 1 and October 15 when temperatures range between 60 and 90 degrees. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely, because the application rate could differ depending on the active ingredients, concentration and brand.
4). Conduct a soil test annually, and apply lime and fertilizer to the lawn according to the results. Do this at the same time each year, because soil test levels change during the year depending on the temperature and moisture levels of the soil.