South Carolina lawns don’t take the same “breaks” as lawns up north. Our warm temps, sandy soils, and long growing season mean your yard is always doing something—growing, resting, or fighting off pests. A simple month-by-month plan keeps you ahead of the curve so your turf, beds, and ornamentals stay healthy and good-looking all year. Here’s the KeckCo calendar we use to guide Conway-area homeowners.
January — Reset and Inspect
Winter is the perfect time to walk your property with fresh eyes. Clear fallen limbs and leaves so turf can dry between winter rains. Check beds for heaving (roots lifting from freeze/thaw) and gently firm soil back around shrubs. Sharpen mower blades and schedule irrigation and backflow checks now so you’re ready before spring rush.
February — Prune and Prepare
Late winter is the window for structural pruning on many shrubs and trees (skip spring-bloomers until after they flower). Cut out crossing, dead, or diseased wood to improve airflow before humidity returns. Top off thin mulch to 2–3 inches—never volcano-pile against trunks. Send a soil sample for pH and nutrient analysis to dial in spring feeding.
March — Wake-Up Tasks & Pre-Emergent
As soil temps climb, apply a pre-emergent to stop crabgrass and other spring weeds before they germinate. Rake away leftover thatch and winter debris to let sunlight hit the crown of the grass. If you have St. Augustine or Zoysia, begin raising mowing height to protect emerging growth; avoid heavy fertilization until it’s actively greening.
April — First Feeding & System Check
Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, St. Augustine) begin to wake fully. Based on your soil test, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Run your irrigation through a full cycle and adjust heads for even coverage—water early mornings only. Refresh color in beds with hardy annuals and check for early aphids or scale on ornamentals.
May — Aerate and Edge
Soil compaction sneaks up after winter rain and foot traffic. Core aeration in late spring opens the root zone so air, water, and nutrients get where they’re needed. Follow with a light feeding if recommended, and tidy bed edges for crisp curb appeal. Begin consistent mowing on the higher side of the recommended height to shade out weeds.
June — Heat Strategy & Spot Control
Summer settles in. Deep, infrequent watering (about 1 inch per week including rain) pushes roots down; shallow, frequent watering invites disease. Scout for chinch bugs, sod webworms, and fungal leaf spots. Treat precisely—spot-spray weeds instead of blanket applications. Deadhead spent blooms to keep ornamentals flushing with new color.
July — Summer Stress Management
This is survival month for turf. Keep mower blades sharp to prevent tearing and browning. Avoid heavy nitrogen during extreme heat—focus on soil health, not surge growth. Inspect mulch depth to conserve moisture and cool roots. Check irrigation again; a misaligned head can scorch a strip in days.
August — Mid-Season Tune-Up
Humidity peaks and so does disease pressure. Improve airflow by lightly thinning overgrown shrubs (skip hard cuts). If high-traffic areas look tired, plan fall overseeding after temps drop. Storm season tip: secure décor, check drainage, and clear downspouts so beds don’t flood during heavy rains.
September — Transition to Recovery
Nights cool and roots get busy. Apply a fall pre-emergent to block winter annual weeds. Where turf is thin, pair core aeration with overseeding to thicken the canopy and crowd out intruders. Begin dialing back irrigation as dew points fall, but keep soil evenly moist for new seed establishment.
October — Root-Building Nutrition
Shift feeding toward formulations that support roots and winter hardiness (less push on top growth). This builds resilience for dormancy and speeds green-up next spring. Plant cool-season color in beds, and inspect for grubs or mole cricket activity; treat promptly to protect the root zone.
November — Clean, Cut, and Protect
Leaf litter looks pretty until it smothers turf. Keep lawns clear so crowns can breathe. Gradually lower mowing height on your final cuts of the year (never remove more than one-third per mow). Wrap or shield tender ornamentals if an early frost threatens, and ensure irrigation shut-down/winterization is done properly.
December — Safety and Simplify
Do a year-end safety sweep: secure loose pavers, repair tripping hazards, and audit outdoor lighting. Make notes on what thrived (and what didn’t) this year to guide plant choices and bed refreshes. A little reflection now saves money and guesswork next season.
Year-Round Care, Made Simple
A healthy landscape is the sum of small, timely steps. By following this calendar—adjusted for your turf type, sun/shade mix, and soil—you’ll prevent most problems before they start and keep your yard looking its best in every season.
Ready for a simpler, greener year outdoors? KeckCo Turf & Ornamental Services can handle your aeration, fertilization, weed and pest control, pruning, irrigation tune-ups, and bed refreshes on a smart schedule tailored to your property. Call 843-273-0735 or visit keckcoturf.com to set up your year-round plan.
