Lawn Care Plan for Miami, FL
Lawn Care in Miami
Miami's tropical climate means year-round growing season for warm-season grasses. St. Augustine dominates local lawns, particularly the Floratam variety. Salt tolerance is important near coastal areas where Seashore Paspalum excels. The rainy season from May to October provides ample moisture, but proper drainage prevents fungal issues in this humid environment.
Common Grass Types in Miami
Lawns in Miami typically grow St. Augustine, Bermuda and Zoysia. Each type has different mowing heights, watering needs, and fertilizer schedules — select yours below for a tailored plan.
Your schedule updates based on what's growing in your yard. Pick your grass and we'll show you exactly what to do each month.
Local Tips for Miami Homeowners
Miami-Dade County has a fertilizer blackout period from June 1 through September 30 — applying fertilizer during rainy season is illegal and can result in fines. This is stricter than most Florida counties. Torpedograss is Miami's worst weed — once established, it's nearly impossible to eliminate without killing surrounding St. Augustine. Spot treatment with glyphosate and resodding is often the only solution. In Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Pinecrest, the oolitic limestone (coral rock) just below the surface means roots hit rock quickly. Some lawns are essentially grass growing in a thin layer of soil over coral. Key Biscayne and Miami Beach properties need salt-tolerant varieties like Seashore Paspalum. South Florida Water Management District limits watering to 2 days per week year-round with specific hours. Tropical sod webworm populations explode in fall — watch for small tan moths flying up when you walk across the lawn, then check for caterpillars and treat with Bt or bifenthrin.
Watering Your Lawn in Miami
Local restrictions: Miami falls under water management district rules limiting irrigation to two days per week year-round. Watering is prohibited 10am-4pm. Rain sensors are required on irrigation systems.
Soil considerations: Miami's sandy soil drains rapidly, often within hours. Water and nutrients pass through the root zone quickly, requiring more frequent but lighter applications of both. Sandy soil doesn't hold water long, so shorter, more frequent watering cycles work better than deep, infrequent irrigation.
Seasonal patterns: Miami receives 52 inches of rain annually, with a distinct rainy season. During wet months, reduce or pause irrigation entirely. Outside the rainy season, supplemental watering becomes essential as dry periods can last several weeks.
Recommended frequency for St. Augustine: 2-3 times per week during active growth, reduce in cooler months
Watering depth: 0.5-0.75 inches per session (1-1.5 inches total per week)
St. Augustine has shallow roots and needs more consistent moisture than bermuda. Sandy Florida soils may need up to 2 inches per week. Water early morning only to reduce disease pressure.
Weeds & Pests for St. Augustine in Miami
- NutsedgeMay–Oct
- CrabgrassApr–Oct
- DoveweedJun–Sep
- DollarweedApr–Oct
- Poa annuaOct–Apr
- Chinch BugsJun–Aug
- Sod WebwormsApr–Oct
- Mole CricketsMar–Nov
- White GrubsJun–Oct
- ArmywormsAug–Oct
Month-by-Month St. Augustine Schedule for Miami
Here's what to do each month to keep your st. augustine lawn healthy in Zone 10b.
| Month | Key Tasks |
|---|---|
Jan |
St. Augustine may stay green in Zone 9b-10 but grows very slowly. Do NOT fertilize — nitrogen pushes weak growth before the grass can use it. |
Feb |
St. Augustine has TWO pre-emergent windows: crabgrass at 55°F and broadleaf weeds/sedge at 65°F. Do NOT scalp St. Augustine like you would bermuda. |
Mar |
CAUTION: 2,4-D can damage St. Augustine, especially during green-up and in hot weather. Use Celsius WG per label instead — it is labeled for St. Augustine including Floratam. Do NOT reach for atrazine: Floratam is not tolerant of atrazine (Texas A&M EHT-144). |
Apr |
Chinch bugs are the #1 St. Augustine pest. Scout sunny, drought-stressed areas first — that's where they start. Use the float test: cut both ends off a coffee can, push into soil, fill with water, watch for small black-and-white insects. |
May |
Active growth season. St. Augustine fills gaps via stolons (above-ground runners). This is the best time for repair work with plugs or sod. |
Jun |
Peak chinch bug pressure June-August. Yellowing patches in sunny areas that don't respond to watering are likely chinch bug damage, not drought. Treat with bifenthrin. |
Jul |
Gray leaf spot peaks in hot, humid weather. Avoid nitrogen during active gray leaf spot — it feeds the fungus. Use iron for color instead. |
Aug |
Fall pre-emergent prevents Poa annua and winter broadleaves. Apply 2-3 weeks before soil temps drop below 70°F. |
Sep |
Potassium strengthens cell walls for winter. Stop nitrogen after this month — late nitrogen promotes disease-prone growth going into dormancy. |
Oct |
Large patch (Rhizoctonia) activates in fall when temps drop below 80°F. Look for circular brown areas with a yellow/orange border. Preventive fungicide (azoxystrobin) if history of disease. |
Nov |
St. Augustine slows significantly. Minimize traffic on the lawn. Do not fertilize. |
Dec |
Off-season planning. Soil test results take 2-3 weeks — send now to have data before spring green-up. |
Active growing season Dormant/off-season
Common Questions About St. Augustine in Miami
Should I scalp my St. Augustine lawn in spring?
No — never scalp St. Augustine. Unlike bermuda, St. Augustine does not recover well from scalping. Maintain a consistent mowing height of 3.5-4 inches year-round. The crown (growing point) sits higher on St. Augustine, so cutting too low can kill the plant.
How do I identify and treat chinch bugs?
Chinch bugs are the #1 St. Augustine pest. Look for yellowing patches in sunny, drought-stressed areas that don't green up with watering. Use the float test: push a coffee can (both ends removed) into the soil at the edge of a damaged area, fill with water, and watch for small black-and-white insects floating up. Treat with bifenthrin.
Why is 2,4-D dangerous for St. Augustine?
2,4-D can cause severe damage to St. Augustine, especially during spring green-up and when temperatures exceed 85°F. Use Celsius WG per label instead — it is labeled for St. Augustine including Floratam. Do NOT substitute atrazine: Floratam is not tolerant of atrazine (Texas A&M EHT-144). If you must use a three-way broadleaf product, apply at the lowest labeled rate during cooler parts of the day.
How much should I fertilize St. Augustine?
UF/IFAS recommends 2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year for North Florida, 2-5 pounds for Central Florida, and 4-6 pounds for South Florida. Apply in 4-6 split applications during the growing season. Use a 2:1 or 1:1 nitrogen-to-potassium ratio. Iron supplements add color without excessive growth.
What causes large brown circles in my St. Augustine lawn?
Circular brown patches are likely large patch (brown patch) disease caused by Rhizoctonia fungus. It activates in fall when temperatures drop below 80°F and in spring. Look for a yellow or orange border at the edge of the patch. Preventive fungicide (azoxystrobin) applied in September and March is more effective than curative treatment.
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The predominant soil type in Miami is sandy with limestone. Soil type affects how you water, fertilize, and maintain your lawn. Clay soils hold moisture but compact easily and need regular aeration. Sandy soils drain fast but lose nutrients quickly, requiring more frequent lighter fertilizer applications.
Zone 10b Growing Season
In USDA Zone 10b, the active growing season runs from March through November. Miami averages 52 inches of rain per year with summer highs around 95°F. Your lawn care plan is built around these local conditions — pre-emergent, fertilizer, and weed control are all scheduled so you know exactly when to act.
Your free Lawn HQ plan factors in Miami's specific soil, climate, and pest pressures to give you a schedule that actually works for where you live — not a generic plan that ignores local conditions.
Grass guides for Miami
Care guides for the grass types most homeowners grow in Florida.
More for Miami homeowners
Go deeper on the grass you grow, the products you use, and the timing that matters in Florida.
Month-by-month St. Augustine Grass care calendar
Every task, every month — fertilizer, mowing, pre-emergent, and pest watch for St. Augustine Grass lawns.
Open the St. Augustine Grass calendarWhat to do this month
Match products to St. Augustine Grass before you spray — no more guessing at the label.
Dial in the right setting for your spreader and bag — every product, every coverage rate.
Map your lawn from above so your application rates are right the first time.
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