Carpetgrass Care
Axonopus spp.
It likes full-sun or lightly shaded areas and moist, slightly acidic soil. It is a warm-season grass that grows actively in summer and turns yellow and goes dormant in winter. It is known for needing little care.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- General care: Protect the dormant lawn by avoiding walking on it, and remove winter weeds by hand.
- Pests & diseases: Check drainage; standing water can lead to root rot.
- Frost risk: The lawn is dormant and yellowed, and is not affected by frosts.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- General care: Continue winter weed control; if the soil is not too wet, you can prepare for aeration.
- Pests & diseases: General check.
- Watering: Usually rainfall is sufficient.
- Fertilizing: Not required, wait until the weather has fully warmed. Pruning (mowing): Not required.
- Plant protection: A pre-emergent herbicide can be applied for weeds.
- General care: As the soil warms (18-20°C), the lawn begins to green up. Rake out the accumulated dry leaves.
- Pests & diseases: Observe the waking process.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, 10-15 L/m² per week.
- Fertilizing: When the lawn is fully green, apply a nitrogen (N)-heavy lawn fertilizer (e.g., 20-5-10, 15-20 g/m², "do not overapply"). Pruning (Mowing): Make the first mowing at a height of 4-6 cm when growth begins.
- General care: Aerate the area (make holes with an aerator) and, if necessary, top dress with sand.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for fungal diseases.
- Watering: 15-20 L/m² per week.
- Fertilizing: Not necessary (if done in April). Mowing: mow once a week at a height of 4-6 cm.
- Plant protection: You can use a selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds.
- General care: Regular mowing helps the lawn thicken.
- Pests & diseases: Check for insect pests (such as aphids, etc.).
- Watering: 25-30 L/m² per week; water deeply and early in the morning.
- Fertilizing: A second fertilizing can be done at the end of June or the beginning of July (15-20 g/m²). Mowing: mow 1-2 times a week at 4-6 cm depending on the growth rate. Raise the mowing height slightly in the summer heat.
- Plant protection: Fungal diseases (brown patch, etc.) can occur in hot, humid weather; apply a fungicide if necessary.
- General care: Regular watering and mowing are vital.
- Pests & diseases: Be watchful for pests such as armyworms.
- Watering: Continue watering (25-30 L/m² per week).
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: continue regular mowing.
- Plant protection: Monitor the area continuously for pests and diseases.
- General care: Insufficient watering can cause dry patches in the lawn; make sure the soil is soaked deeply.
- Pests & diseases: Lawn under heat stress is more open to diseases.
- Watering: Continue watering, but start reducing toward the end of the month.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: continue regular mowing.
- General care: Avoid aeration or other work that would stress the lawn during extreme heat.
- Pests & diseases: General check.
- Watering: Reduce watering as the weather cools (15-20 L/m² per week).
- Fertilizing: To prepare for winter, apply a potassium (K)-rich autumn fertilizer (e.g. 5-10-20, 15-20 g/m²). Stop applying nitrogen (N). Pruning (mowing): reduce mowing frequency as growth slows.
- General care: (September 20) This is the ideal time for verticutting and aerating to remove thatch. This helps the roots strengthen before winter.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for the emergence of winter weeds.
- Watering: Stop watering as the rains begin.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: mow when needed until growth stops.
- General care: Regularly clear fallen leaves from the lawn.
- Pests & diseases: Yellowing of the lawn is normal; it is going into rest.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- General care: Keep leaves and debris in the area clean, and remove winter weeds by hand.
- Pests & diseases: Check drainage problems.
- Frost risk: The lawn is dormant and hardy.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: not needed.
- General care: Avoid walking on the area.
- Pests & diseases: General check.
- Frost risk: The lawn is dormant and hardy.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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