The Complete Winter Lawn Care Checklist for Georgia Homeowners

Georgia homeowners should complete 8 critical lawn care tasks during winter to set up a healthy growing season: plan pre-emergent timing, map bare areas for spring overseeding, continue mowing cool-season grass, clear leaves and debris, treat active winter weeds, test your soil, service mowing equipment, and schedule your spring lawn care program. While warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia are dormant from November through March, winter is when the groundwork for a great spring lawn gets done.

1. Plan Your Pre-Emergent Timing

Spring pre-emergent herbicide needs to go down before soil temperatures consistently reach 55°F at a 4-inch depth. In central Georgia, that's typically late February to mid-March, according to the UGA Extension. Start monitoring soil temps in early February — a soil thermometer costs under $15 and is the best investment you can make for weed prevention. Pre-emergent applied at the right time prevents up to 90% of summer annual weeds.

2. Address Bare or Thin Areas

Walk your lawn and note any bare spots, thin areas, or damage from the previous season. These areas will be the first places weeds colonize in spring if not addressed. Mark them mentally or with small flags — you'll want to overseed these spots after aeration in late spring (May–June for Bermuda and Zoysia).

3. Keep Mowing (When Needed)

If you have fescue or ryegrass that stays green through winter, continue mowing at the appropriate height (3–4 inches for fescue). Even dormant Bermuda lawns benefit from a final mow to 1–1.5 inches to reduce thatch buildup and keep the lawn tidy. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade length in a single mowing.

4. Manage Leaves and Debris

A thick layer of leaves left on dormant grass can smother it, block sunlight from reaching the crown, and create moist conditions that invite disease. The UGA Extension recommends either mulching leaves in place with a mower (if the layer is thin) or removing them entirely if they're covering more than 50% of the grass surface.

5. Watch for Winter Weeds

Winter annual weeds actively grow while your warm-season grass is dormant, taking advantage of reduced competition:

• Henbit — purple-flowered weed common in Bermuda lawns
• Chickweed — low-growing mat that thrives in cool, moist conditions
• Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) — light green clumps that go to seed early

If you see these weeds spreading, a targeted post-emergent treatment can knock them out before they go to seed in early spring — preventing them from multiplying next year.

6. Test Your Soil

Winter is the ideal time for a soil test because results take 2–4 weeks, and having them in hand before spring lets you build a targeted fertilization plan. The UGA Soil Testing Lab processes samples for a small fee and provides specific lime and fertilizer recommendations for your soil type and grass species. Most Georgia clay soils are acidic (pH 5.0–6.0) and benefit from lime applications to raise pH for optimal nutrient availability.

7. Service Your Equipment

Get your mower blades sharpened, change the oil, and replace the air filter. Dull mower blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, leaving ragged tips that turn brown and make your lawn more susceptible to disease. A sharp blade makes a clean cut that heals quickly. Most mower shops recommend sharpening blades every 20–25 hours of mowing.

8. Schedule Your Spring Program

GopherTurf Service Areas

We provide professional lawn care across central Georgia, including Pike County, Henry County, Newton County, Clayton County, Butts County, Jasper County, and Morgan County. View all service areas.

Lawn care companies in central Georgia fill up fast once spring hits. Contact GopherTurf now to get on the schedule for your spring pre-emergent, fertilization, and any other services you need. Getting on a professional program before the growing season starts means your lawn gets the right treatments at the right time — not playing catch-up once weeds have already established.