Garden Care Guide

Japanese Lawn Grass Care

A warm-season grass that is very tolerant of heat, drought and foot traffic and forms a dense, carpet-like texture. It goes dormant in winter as its color turns yellow. Because of its dense structure it is prone to thatch and needs regular aeration.

Hardy

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.

January
  • Watering: Usually not needed, as the plant is dormant. Only during long dry periods, water 1-2 times a month to keep the soil lightly moist.
  • Fertilizing: Do not apply. Mowing: Do not mow. The lawn should be yellowed and dormant.
  • Plant protection: If it was not applied in autumn, a selective herbicide can be used for winter weeds (e.g., Poa annua) to control weeds.
  • General care: Avoid heavy traffic on it.
  • Pests & diseases: Usually no problem.
  • Frost risk: After frost, the color turns straw yellow. This is normal dormancy and does not cause permanent damage.
February
  • Watering: Not required; winter rains are sufficient.
  • Fertilizing: Do not apply; wait for the lawn to wake up. Mowing: If the weather warms toward the end of the month and the grass starts to green up, you may mow once at a low height of about 2-3 cm to remove dead tissue.
  • Plant protection: Winter weed control can continue.
  • General care: Clear leaves and debris from the lawn area.
  • Pests & diseases: For soil pests (mole crickets, etc.), monitor the soil temperature.
  • Frost risk: The risk has decreased; the lawn slowly begins to wake up.
March
  • Watering: As rainfall decreases, water once a week at 15-20 L/m².
  • Fertilizing: When the lawn is fully green and active growth has begun, apply 20-30 g/m² of balanced, slow-release lawn fertilizer (e.g., NPK 20-5-10). Do not overapply. Pruning (Mowing): As growth speeds up, start mowing once a week at a height of 3-5 cm.
  • Plant protection: This is a suitable time to use a selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds.
  • General care: Check the thick thatch layer. If necessary, prepare for aeration or raking.
  • Pests & diseases: Air circulation is important for fungal diseases such as leaf spot or root rot.
April
  • Watering: Water deeply 1-2 times a week, for a total of 20-25 L/m².
  • Fertilizing: If needed, apply one more nitrogen-dominant fertilizer at the start of the month. Mowing: growth is at its fastest during this period. Mow regularly at a height of 3-5 cm.
  • Plant protection: A pre-emergent herbicide can be applied to prevent summer weed seeds from germinating.
  • General care: If the thatch layer is thick (2 cm+), this is the most suitable time for dethatching (raking) and aeration.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for circular brown patches (Brown Patch fungus) and avoid night-time watering.
May
  • Watering: As temperatures rise, the need for watering increases. Water 1-2 times a week, 25-30 L/m² in total. Early morning hours are ideal.
  • Fertilizing: Avoid fertilizing in hot weather. Mowing: Continue mowing regularly at 3-5 cm.
  • Plant protection: Check for soil pests (grubs). If there is damage, use a suitable insecticide.
  • General care: Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep root growth.
  • Pests & diseases: The thatch layer creates a suitable environment for pests and diseases to shelter in.
June
  • Watering: This is the hottest month and watering is critical. Water 2-3 times a week, for a total of 30-35 L/m². Make sure the soil is soaked deeply.
  • Fertilizing: Absolutely do not apply fertilizer; it stresses the lawn. Mowing: continue regular mowing.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Avoid excessive walking on the lawn and leaving heavy objects on it.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see signs of drought stress (the lawn taking on a gray-blue color), increase watering.
July
  • Watering: Maintain watering 2-3 times a week at 30-35 L/m². Toward the end of the month, reduce the frequency as temperatures fall.
  • Fertilizing: Not needed. Mowing: continue regular mowing.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: This may be the last chance to aerate the lawn area, but the best time is late spring.
  • Pests & diseases: Fungal diseases may appear on lawns coming out of summer stress.
August
  • Watering: As the weather cools, reduce watering to 1-2 times a week, for a total of 20-25 L/m².
  • Fertilizing: If needed, apply one final light fertilization at the start of the month (low nitrogen ratio). Mowing: as growth slows, reduce mowing frequency to once every 10-15 days.
  • General care: Winter preparation period.
September
  • Watering: Since the weather is still hot and dry, continue watering deeply 1-2 times a week. Reduce if it rains.
  • Fertilizing: If a final light fertilization was not applied at the start of the month, do not apply one now. Excess fertilizer can cause winter diseases. Mowing: Since growth is slowing, reduce mowing frequency but do not stop entirely.
  • Plant protection: The end of the month is the best time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent winter weeds (Poa annua, etc.) from emerging.
  • General care: The lawn begins preparing for winter dormancy. If the thatch layer is thick, make a note to address it in spring.
  • Pests & diseases: Be careful of fungal diseases going into winter.
October
  • Watering: Reduce watering to once a week or less. Rain is usually enough.
  • Fertilizing: Do not apply. Mowing: Growth is nearly stopped. If necessary, you may mow once more.
  • Plant protection: If pre-emergent herbicide was not applied, it can be applied at the beginning of the month.
  • General care: Regularly clear leaves that fall on the lawn.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaves that stay wet can cause fungal diseases.
  • Frost risk: Toward the end of the month, first frosts may occur, and the lawn slowly begins to lose its color.
November
  • Watering: If the rains are not sufficient, water every 15-20 days.
  • Fertilizing: Do not apply. Mowing: Make the last mow of the season. Leave the height at about 3-4 cm.
  • General care: Maintain and clean lawn equipment (mower, etc.).
  • Pests & diseases: Usually trouble-free; the lawn is preparing for dormancy.
  • Frost risk: The risk of frost increases and the lawn begins to yellow. This is normal.
December
  • Fertilizing: Do not apply. Mowing: Do not mow.
  • General care: Avoid walking on the lawn when there is frost, as this can damage the plant tissue.
  • Frost risk: The lawn goes fully dormant and turns straw yellow with frost.

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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