Lawn Care in Winston-Salem, NC
Your complete lawn care guide for Winston-Salem — USDA Zone 7a, transition zone grass recommendations, and a soil-temperature-driven schedule.
Current Conditions
Soil Temp (4" depth)
65°F
→ Stable
Today's High
75°F
Today's Low
64°F
What to Do Now
Action
Overseeding Window Open
Soil temp is 65°F — perfect for Tall Turf-Type Fescue germination. Overseed now for best results before temps drop.
Quick Facts
- USDA Zone
- Zone 7a
- Season Type
- Transition Zone
- State
- North Carolina
- Recommended Grasses
- Tall Turf-Type Fescue, TTTF / KBG Blend, Bermuda Grass, Zoysia Grass, Bermuda + Rye Overseed
Best Grass Types for Winston-Salem
Tall Turf-Type Fescue
CoolMowing Height: 3"–4"
Ideal Soil Temp: 50°F–65°F
TTTF / KBG Blend
TransitionMowing Height: 3"–4"
Ideal Soil Temp: 50°F–75°F
Bermuda Grass
WarmMowing Height: 0.5"–2"
Ideal Soil Temp: 65°F–85°F
Zoysia Grass
WarmMowing Height: 1"–2.5"
Ideal Soil Temp: 65°F–85°F
Bermuda + Rye Overseed
TransitionMowing Height: 1"–2.5"
Ideal Soil Temp: 55°F–85°F
Winston-Salem Lawn Care Calendar
Cool-Season Program
Round 1 — Early Spring Pre-Emergent
Soil temp reaches 55°F- Pre-Emergent Herbicide — Apply a pre-emergent herbicide (Prodiamine or Dithiopyr) to prevent crabgrass and other annual weeds as soil warms past 55°F. Do NOT apply if you plan to seed within 8-12 weeks.
Round 2 — Mid Spring
Soil temp reaches 65°F- Pre-Emergent (2nd Application) — Second split-app of pre-emergent as soil approaches 65°F. Extends crabgrass prevention through early summer.
- High-Nitrogen Fertilizer — First fertilizer of the season. Apply high-nitrogen to support spring green-up now that the grass is actively growing.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant (humic/fulvic acid, sea kelp) for root development and nutrient uptake.
Round 3 — Late Spring
28-35 days after previous round- Low-N / High-K Stress Fertilizer — Transition to a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer to harden turf for summer heat.
- Grub Preventative — Apply a preventative grub control (e.g. GrubEx / chlorantraniliprole) before grubs hatch. Best applied late spring when soil temps reach 60-70°F.
- Summer Bridge Feeding (Organic N)(optional) — June bridge feeding: ~0.5 lb N/1,000 sq ft of a slow-release organic nitrogen (e.g. Milorganite at bag rate), a couple weeks after the stress blend. Recommended for lawns that stay green through summer — sustained growth burns through spring nitrogen, and underfed turf in humid dew season is the classic setup for dollar spot. Skip if your lawn goes brown and dormant in summer.
- Post-Emergent Broadleaf Herbicide(optional) — Spot-treat or blanket-spray broadleaf weeds (dandelions, clover, plantain) while they are actively growing in spring.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to support root depth and stress tolerance.
- Moisture Manager(optional) — Optional wetting agent / moisture manager to improve water penetration.
Round 4 — Summer
28-42 days after previous round- Low-N / High-K Stress Fertilizer(optional) — Continue stress-blend fertilizer through the summer heat period.
- Summer Top-Up Feeding (Organic N)(optional) — August top-up: another light dose of slow-release organic nitrogen (e.g. Milorganite at bag rate) so available N never hits zero in peak disease season. Recommended for lawns that stay green through summer. Organic slow-release feeds gently with virtually no burn risk, even in heat. Skip if your lawn goes brown and dormant in summer.
- Surface Insect Control(optional) — Apply a surface insecticide (e.g. bifenthrin) to control armyworms, chinch bugs, sod webworms, and other surface-feeding pests.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to maintain soil biology through heat stress.
Round 5 — Fall Renovation (Seeding)
Soil temp drops to 70°F- Prep for Overseeding — Seed-down is about two weeks out — get ready now. Order your grass seed, starter fertilizer, and seed-safe pre-emergent; reserve a core aerator; and step your mowing height down gradually over the next few cuts. This is also your last call to spot-treat clover and other broadleaf weeds: herbicides need about two weeks ahead of seeding, so spray now or hold off until the new grass has been mowed 2-3 times. And if you want fresh soil-test data to tune your fall feedings, sample now — before any fertilizer goes down — since results take about three weeks.
- Starter Fertilizer — Apply a high-phosphorus starter fertilizer to support new seed establishment.
- Seed-Safe Pre-Emergent — Apply a seed-safe pre-emergent (e.g. mesotrione/tenacity) for weed suppression that won't harm new seedlings.
- Aerate & Overseed — Core aerate the lawn, then overseed with your chosen grass seed blend.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to accelerate seed germination and root establishment.
Round 5 — Fall Recovery
Soil temp drops to 70°F- High-Nitrogen Fertilizer — Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer to promote fall recovery and thickening.
- Pre-Emergent (Fall) — Fall pre-emergent to prevent poa annua and other winter annual weeds.
- Post-Emergent Broadleaf Herbicide(optional) — Fall is the most effective time for broadleaf weed control. Spray weeds while they are pulling nutrients down to roots before winter.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to support root growth during fall recovery.
Round 6 — Mid Fall
28-35 days after previous round- High-Nitrogen Fertilizer — High-nitrogen feed to maximize fall growth and carbohydrate storage.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to support late-season root development.
Round 7 — Winterizer
Soil temp drops to 35-40°F- Winterizer Fertilizer — Final application of high-nitrogen + potassium fertilizer before dormancy to build winter hardiness and promote early spring green-up.
Warm-Season Program
Round 1 — Early Spring Pre-Emergent
Soil temp reaches 55°F- Pre-Emergent Herbicide — Apply pre-emergent herbicide before soil reaches 55°F to prevent summer annual weeds.
Round 2 — Spring Green-Up
Soil temp reaches 65°F- Low-N / High-K Stress Fertilizer — Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer as warm-season turf exits dormancy.
- Pre-Emergent (2nd Application) — Second split-app of pre-emergent for extended weed prevention.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to jumpstart soil biology as soil temps rise.
Round 3 — Early Summer
28-42 days after previous round- High-Nitrogen Fertilizer — Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer during peak warm-season growth.
- Grub Preventative — Apply preventative grub control (e.g. GrubEx / chlorantraniliprole) before grubs hatch. Critical for warm-season lawns where grubs can cause severe damage.
- Post-Emergent Broadleaf Herbicide(optional) — Spot-treat or blanket-spray broadleaf weeds while they are actively growing. Use warm-season safe formulations (avoid 2,4-D on St. Augustine).
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant for root depth and nutrient uptake.
- Moisture Manager(optional) — Optional wetting agent to improve water distribution during heat.
Round 4 — Mid Summer
28-42 days after previous round- High-Nitrogen Fertilizer — Continue high-nitrogen feeding during warm-season peak growth.
- Surface Insect Control(optional) — Apply a surface insecticide (e.g. bifenthrin) to control armyworms, chinch bugs, sod webworms, and other surface-feeding pests.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant for sustained soil health.
Round 5 — Late Summer
28-42 days after previous round- High-Nitrogen Fertilizer — Final high-nitrogen application before growth slows in fall.
- Surface Insect Control(optional) — Monitor for late-season armyworm and chinch bug activity. Apply surface insecticide if damage is present.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to prepare turf for seasonal transition.
Round 6 — Fall Transition
Soil temp drops to 70°F- Low-N / High-K Stress Fertilizer — Switch to low-nitrogen, high-potassium to harden turf for winter dormancy.
- Pre-Emergent (Fall) — Fall pre-emergent to prevent cool-season annual weeds (poa annua).
- Post-Emergent Broadleaf Herbicide(optional) — Fall is an effective time for broadleaf weed control in warm-season lawns. Target weeds as they prepare for winter.
- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Bio-stimulant to support root carbohydrate storage.
Round 7 — Late Fall / Dormancy
Soil temp drops to 55°F- Bio-Stimulant(optional) — Light bio-stimulant application to maintain soil biology through winter dormancy. No nitrogen fertilizer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I fertilize my lawn in Winston-Salem, NC?
In Winston-Salem (USDA Zone 7a), timing depends on your grass type. Cool-season grasses start at 55°F soil temp, while warm-season grasses wait until 65°F. Monitor soil temperature for the best timing.
What is the best grass for Winston-Salem, NC?
Winston-Salem is in USDA Zone 7a, a transition zone zone. Both cool-season grasses (Tall Fescue, KBG) and warm-season options (Bermuda, Zoysia) can work. Tall Fescue blends are the most versatile choice.
What USDA zone is Winston-Salem, NC?
Winston-Salem is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. This means the average annual minimum winter temperature ranges from 0°F to 5°F. This zone classification helps determine which grass types and planting schedules work best for your lawn.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Winston-Salem?
In Winston-Salem, apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil temperatures at 4" depth reach 55°F and are rising. A split application works best: half rate at 55°F, then the second half about 2–3 weeks later when soil reaches 65°F. This extends crabgrass prevention through early summer. Check the current soil temperature at the top of this page for real-time guidance.
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