The Importance of Proper Lawn Care Throughout the Winter

Winter lawn care in Northeast Florida is often overlooked—but it’s one of the most important seasons for protecting your lawn and preparing it for spring. Thanks to our mild climate and sandy soils, warm-season grasses continue root activity throughout winter, making proper fertilization, pest control, and watering essential.

By maintaining your lawn during winter, you strengthen roots, reduce pest pressure, and ensure a thicker, healthier lawn when spring arrives.

Why Winter Fertilization Is Essential in Jacksonville

Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda, and Bahia don’t fully shut down in winter. Instead, they focus energy below the surface. Winter fertilization supports:

• Stronger root systems

• Better nutrient storage

• Increased resistance to cold stress and disease

• Faster spring green-up

Key Benefits

✔ Improved root health

✔ Reduced thinning

✔ Better color and density

✔ Stronger pest and disease resistance

Winter Nutrient Guide for Northeast Florida Lawns

Jacksonville’s sandy soils often lack the nutrients lawns need to stay healthy year-round. Winter fertilization should focus on root support—not excessive top growth.

Recommended Winter Nutrients

Nutrient	Purpose	Winter Benefit
Potassium (K)	Stress tolerance	Improves cold resistance & disease defense
Nitrogen (N)	Growth support	Apply in low amounts only
Iron	Color enhancement	Boosts green color without forcing growth
Micronutrients	Soil balance	Supports root and enzyme function

Fertilizer Best Practices

• Use low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizers

• Prioritize potassium-rich blends

• Avoid heavy nitrogen applications

• Consider a soil test to target deficiencies

The Importance of Winter Pest Control

Many pests in Jacksonville remain active or dormant underground during winter. Treating now helps prevent damage before it becomes visible in spring.

Common Winter Lawn Pests

• Chinch bugs

• Mole crickets

• Sod webworms

• Fire ants

• Early-stage grubs

Why Treat in Winter?

• Breaks pest life cycles

• Prevents spring infestations

• Reduces lawn stress

• Protects weakened winter turf

Preventative pest control is far more effective—and less costly—than reactive treatments later.

Winter Watering Guide for Jacksonville Lawns

Even during winter, your lawn still needs water to maintain healthy roots. However, overwatering can cause disease and shallow roots.

Recommended Winter Watering Schedule

✔ Water once per week

✔ Apply approximately ½ inch of water per watering

This amount is ideal for keeping roots hydrated without oversaturating the soil.

Winter Watering Best Practices

• Water early in the morning

• Skip watering if rainfall meets the ½-inch requirement

• Adjust irrigation systems seasonally

• Avoid soggy or standing water

💧 Deep, infrequent watering encourages stronger, deeper root growth and improves drought tolerance.

Prepare Your Lawn Now for a Stronger Spring

Proper winter fertilization, pest control, and weekly watering at ½ inch provide the foundation for a healthier, greener lawn in Jacksonville, FL.

🌱 Stronger roots🌱 Fewer pests🌱 Reduced weeds🌱 Faster spring green-up

If you'd like to prepare your lawn for a strong 2026, call Boujee Lawn and Ornamental today!