If you have a warm season lawn (think Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, or St. Augustine grass), fall looks a little different than it does for cool season lawns. (Not sure about your grass type? Check out our guide here. If you live in a South or Transition zone, chances are you have warm season grass.) While cool season homeowners are busy overseeding, your focus should be on stopping weeds before they take hold.
Here’s your simple, step-by-step guide to fall lawn care for warm season grasses.
Step 1: Mow and Clean Up
As temperatures cool and your grass growth slows, keep mowing at your regular height until it naturally stops growing.
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Skip the scalping. Cutting your grass too short before winter can stress it out and leave roots vulnerable.
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Clear debris. Rake or mulch fallen leaves and remove sticks or branches. A clean lawn surface reduces shady, damp areas where weeds like to settle.
Step 2: Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide
This is the most important step for warm season lawns in fall. A pre-emergent herbicide, like Lawnbright’s Weed Wipeout, creates a barrier that prevents weed seeds from germinating.
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Timing matters. Apply in early fall before soil temperatures drop below 70°F. That’s when weeds like annual bluegrass, henbit, and chickweed are preparing to sprout.
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Water it in. Light watering helps activate the pre-emergent and form a protective shield in the soil.
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Don’t overseed. Unlike cool season lawns, warm season grass won’t establish new seed in fall. Overseeding now is a waste of time and money.
Step 3: Spot Treat Existing Weeds
Even with pre-emergent down, you may see broadleaf weeds like clover or dandelion still lingering. This is the perfect time to tackle them.
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Use a targeted post-emergent herbicide and treat only the weeds you see.
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Avoid blanket spraying—your grass is preparing for dormancy and doesn’t need extra stress.
Step 4: Adjust Watering
As your lawn slows its growth, it also needs less water.
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Cut back on watering frequency and let rainfall handle most of the job.
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Overwatering in fall is one of the fastest ways to encourage weeds, disease and fungus.
Step 5: Prepare for Dormancy
Don’t worry if your lawn starts to lose its dark green color—it’s normal. Warm season grasses go dormant in the cooler months to conserve energy.
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Skip heavy fall fertilization. Nitrogen now won’t do much since your lawn isn’t actively growing. Save your big feedings for spring green-up and focus on high-phosphorus options that will strengthen roots or a winterizer that will help your turf store nutrients.
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Think long-term. A well-timed pre-emergent now will mean fewer weeds to fight when your lawn wakes up next year.
Pro Tip: Healthy Grass = Fewer Weeds
The best defense against weeds isn’t chemicals—it’s a thick, healthy lawn. Staying on schedule with weed prevention in fall, plus proper mowing and watering, keeps your warm season turf strong and reduces how many weeds you’ll have to deal with in the spring.
For warm season lawns, fall is all about weed prevention, not overseeding. By applying pre-emergent, tidying up your lawn, and easing off watering, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, greener start when warm weather returns.
Lawnbright Plan Customer? Don’t worry! Our plan takes your grass type into account and sends you the products you need for fall. If you are a Prevent and Repair customer, Weed Wipeout pre-emergent is included in your box. Questions? Email us at info@getlawnbright.com or hit chat on the site.
Not a Lawn Plan Customer but want to fight weeds? Try our Weed Wipeout pre-emergent and Pulverize post-emergent – they’re all natural, pet-safe and effective.