Your Lawn Still Needs Attention During Florida’s Mild Winters
While much of the country is buried in snow during the winter months, Jacksonville enjoys a much milder season. But that doesn’t mean your lawn is off the hook. In fact, winter is a critical time for lawn care in North Florida. Proper maintenance now ensures your grass stays healthy, resists pests, and comes back strong when spring rolls around.
At Royal Pest Services, we help homeowners protect their investment with tailored winter lawn care strategies and proactive lawn pest control in Jacksonville. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Understand Your Florida Grass Type
Most Jacksonville lawns are planted with warm-season grasses, such as:
- St. Augustine
- Zoysia
- Bermuda
- Centipede
These grasses naturally go dormant in cooler temperatures, which means growth slows and the color may fade. But don’t mistake dormancy for death—this is a normal, healthy response to winter weather.
The key is helping your grass survive dormancy and recover quickly once spring arrives.
2. Adjust Mowing and Watering Habits
In winter, your lawn’s water and mowing needs change. Too much care can actually do more harm than good.
Tips for winter lawn care in Jacksonville:
- Mow higher and less frequently: Let your grass grow a bit taller to protect the roots.
- Water only when needed: Most lawns need less than an inch of water per week in winter, especially if there’s rainfall.
- Avoid fertilizing until spring: Over-fertilizing dormant grass can encourage weed growth and stress your turf.
3. Prevent Winter Lawn Pests
Even in cooler months, pests don’t take a full vacation. Jacksonville lawns may still see activity from:
- Chinch bugs
- Mole crickets
- Armyworms
- Grubs
These pests feed underground or in the thatch layer, quietly damaging root systems and creating brown spots. Regular lawn inspections and preventative lawn pest control can catch problems early—before they take hold in spring.
At Royal Pest Services, our lawn pest control program is designed to keep your yard pest-free and thriving all year.
4. Keep an Eye on Weeds
Weeds love to take advantage of a weakened or dormant lawn. Cool-season weeds like clover, chickweed, and henbit can take root during winter and become a major headache by spring.
Now’s the time to apply pre-emergent herbicides or spot-treat problem areas. We recommend letting our lawn care professionals evaluate your property to ensure the right product is used at the right time.
5. Prep for Spring the Smart Way
What you do now sets the stage for spring success. A few additional healthy grass tips:
- Rake up any leaves or debris to reduce fungal risk
- Aerate compacted soil if needed
- Schedule a spring lawn inspection with Royal Pest Services to plan for fertilization, pest control, and weed management
Trust Jacksonville’s Lawn Experts This Winter
At Royal Pest Services, we understand the unique challenges of lawn care in Northeast Florida. Our customized programs help your grass stay healthy, resilient, and beautiful—through every season.
Whether you need a one-time lawn treatment or year-round service, we’re here to help your lawn thrive.
Request your free lawn evaluation today and get your yard ready for a lush, green spring.
