In Georgia, August and September are a transition period for your lawn — summer grasses are still growing but slowing down, and cool-season prep starts soon. What you should do depends a lot on your grass type:
1️⃣ If you have warm-season grass (most common in Georgia)
Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine
- Fertilize (last time of the year) — Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early August if you haven’t already, but stop nitrogen-heavy fertilizing by late August to avoid encouraging frost-sensitive growth.
- Mow high & often — Keep blades sharp; don’t cut more than ⅓ of the leaf at once.
- Control weeds — Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early September to stop winter weeds like annual bluegrass and henbit.
- Irrigate deeply — About 1″ of water per week, less if rain is steady.
- Dethatch or aerate — If the lawn feels spongy or compacted, late August is still good for aerating warm-season turf.
2️⃣ If you have cool-season grass (tall fescue, rye, bluegrass — less common in GA)
- Prepare for overseeding — In mid-September, overseed or reseed while temps drop but soil is still warm.
- Fertilize — Start a fall fertilization program around mid to late September.
- Aerate — Core aeration in September helps seed contact and root growth.
3️⃣ Universal lawn care tips for GA in Aug/Sept
- Watch for pests — Armyworms can wipe out a lawn fast in late summer; treat promptly if you see chewing damage.
- Check irrigation system — Make sure coverage is even before the dry fall spells.
- Edge and trim — Keeping borders neat now reduces weed creep into fall.
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