Asked on Nov 28, 2015

What can I do about north Florida lawn weeds in the fall?

What is the most effective way to deal with Florida lawn weeds during the fall season? Additionally, what recommendations do you have for the best year-round lawn care, including fertilizer and grub control?

My front lawn looks like weeds are taking over in the fall and yet, in the spring it comes back to lawn. What causes it and what should I do?

Florida lawn weeds

  13 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 29, 2015
    You need to follow a regular fertilization program all season long. As for the grub control that is applied in june and again in august. My suggestion is to go to your local nursery and purchase the fertilization step for your current season.
  • Teresa Watkins Teresa Watkins on Nov 29, 2015
    Maggie, why do you think you have grubs? Florida lawns need to be healthy and dense to prevent weeds. What typed of grass do you have? St. Augustine, Bahia, or Zoysiagrass? How often do you fertilize it? What kind of sunlight conditions does your grass grow? Weeds are seasonal. So you will see fall weeds and you will have spring/summer weeds. Provide the answers to these questions and I can help you more with fertilization, weed and insect control.
  • Wklsunflower Wklsunflower on Nov 29, 2015
    plant rye grass for the winter
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Nov 29, 2015
    Beneficial nematodes are great for controlling grubs. You have to be patient though. They will not harm humans, animals, beneficial insects or plants.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 29, 2015
    Please also take into consideration for those suggesting seeding. You cannot just throw grass seed down without amendments to the soil. There are a lot of steps involved in this when it comes to lawns.That is when it is best to consult a qualified representative in your areas.
  • Ang2046162 Ang2046162 on Nov 29, 2015
    My thought is that all lawns need a resting period ours get rest in the winter Amending is what we do in the spring before the grass starts to grow again with compost from our local nursery. A healthy lawn is tight and weeds are unable to grow. Of course with that being said we live in the Pacific N.W.
  • DianaB DianaB on Nov 30, 2015
    Not knowing the grass type, but you said it goes dormant in the winter and comes back in the spring. I would check with your local extension office and one of the master gardener's might be able to help identify your grass type. And then you can decide from there what, if anything, needs to be done. Lots of everyone posting on all sorts of plants, etc. can always ask their local extension offices. They are connected to your agricultural universities in your states.
  • Valerie W Valerie W on Dec 03, 2015
    Here is a website that has lots of hints and tips. Used to work for a sod farm. http://www.andersonsod.com/hints.html
  • Peter Evans Peter Evans on Dec 04, 2015
    I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA,WESTERN AUSTRALIA WHERE WE GET AN AVERAGE OF 8 HOURS OF SUN A DAY ,TEMPERATURES IN SUMMER UP TO 45 CELSIUS ,MY LAWN IS GREEN AS,NOW WHAT I DON'T DO IS MOW WITH A CACHER,ALSO A FRIEND OF MINE WATERS HIS EVERY FORTNIGHT,BUT FERTILIZES IT HAVELY .
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Dec 09, 2015
    Well,my husband's take on lawn maintenance is "if it's green, it's grass".
  • Danielle Segev Danielle Segev on Oct 03, 2023

    Fertilization: Fertilize your lawn based on soil test results and grass type. In North Florida, a balanced fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio of N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) is generally suitable. Apply fertilizer in early fall and again in late fall.


    Grub Control: For grub control, apply a preventive grub control product in late spring or early summer when adult beetles lay their eggs. This helps prevent grub damage to your lawn.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Oct 03, 2023

    Grub control, you can buy treatments from garden centers and follow the package directions for your area.


    You could also give your local Cooperative Extension a call, they have master gardeners who are able to field many questions callers have..