What is the most important step for weed control in Arizona?

Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring (February/March) when soil temperatures reach approximately 55°F is critical. This creates a barrier that prevents summer weed seeds from germinating .

How often should I fertilize my Bermuda lawn in Phoenix?

During the active growing season (April through September), a general guideline is to fertilize every 4 to 8 weeks. A more consistent feeding schedule of every 4 to 6 weeks can promote steady, healthy growth .

Why does my lawn look yellow even though I fertilize?

In Arizona's alkaline soils, grass often suffers from iron deficiency, which causes yellowing (chlorosis). Applying a fertilizer with chelated iron or a separate iron supplement can green up the lawn without causing excessive growth .

Can I control weeds in the summer?

Yes, for weeds that emerge despite pre-emergent applications, post-emergent herbicides are used. It's best to treat weeds when they are young and actively growing, and to choose a selective herbicide that targets the specific weed type without harming your grass .

Is fall fertilization necessary if my grass goes dormant in winter?

Yes. A fall fertilizer application, typically higher in potassium, focuses on strengthening the root system. This improves the lawn's durability over the winter and promotes a quicker, healthier green-up when spring arrives .

Should I water after applying fertilizer or weed control?

For granular products, yes. Watering activates the product by moving it from the grass blades down to the soil and root zone. Always follow the specific label instructions on the product used .

What's the difference between pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control?

Pre-emergent herbicides are applied before weed seeds germinate to prevent them from sprouting. Post-emergent herbicides are applied after weeds have already emerged and are actively growing to kill them .

Landscaping Services in Arizona

Maintaining a vibrant, weed-free lawn in Arizona is a year-round commitment that requires a specialized approach. The unique desert climate, with its intense heat and specific soil conditions, demands a tailored schedule for feeding your grass and preventing invasive weeds. This guide provides a clear, practical overview of fertilization and weed management strategies for Arizona lawns, helping you understand the timing, products, and practices that lead to success. You can use this information to evaluate your lawn's needs and connect with knowledgeable local professionals who can implement an effective program.

Glen C Landscaping & Hardscape

phoenix

Glen C Landscaping & Hardscape is a family-owned landscaping company serving Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding areas including Scottsdale, Glendale, Surprise, and Avondale. With over 10 years of industry experience, they provide a wide range of services such as landscape design, lawn maintenance, irrigation and sprinkler installation, tree services, hardscaping including retaining walls and pavers, and artificial turf installation. Their team focuses on quality work and offers flexible financing options to meet client needs.

5.0

255 Reviews

TurFresh

3101 W Thomas Rd #107, Phoenix, AZ 85017

TurFresh is a lawn care company based in Phoenix, AZ, specializing in artificial turf cleaning and maintenance. They offer services such as pet urine odor removal, turf decompacting, deep brushing, weed removal, seam repairs, and turf infill adjustments. Their TurfBloom service helps restore the appearance and texture of artificial lawns by revitalizing turf fibers and infill material.

5.0

84 Reviews

Landscape Design Phoenix, Landscaping Architect | Unwind Landscapes

2740 E Rose Garden Ln Suite 6, Phoenix, AZ 85050

Unwind Landscapes is a full-service landscaping company based in Phoenix, AZ, offering comprehensive landscape design, construction, and maintenance services. They specialize in Arizona desert landscaping, providing custom designs tailored to client needs, including irrigation system installation and repair, outdoor living spaces, and ongoing landscape care. Their services cover a wide area around Phoenix, including Scottsdale, Chandler, and Surprise. The company also operates a private nursery supplying desert plants to complement their designs. Unwind Landscapes focuses on sustainable, low-maintenance solutions to enhance property value and outdoor enjoyment.

5.0

62 Reviews

BIG BOSS Landscape

E Burgess Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85042

BIG BOSS Landscape is a locally owned landscaping company based in Phoenix, AZ, serving the greater Phoenix Valley including Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, and surrounding areas. They offer a wide range of services such as lawn fertilization, weed control, irrigation repairs, tree trimming, turf installation, and full landscaping design and installation. The company specializes in desert-friendly landscaping solutions tailored to Arizona's unique soil and climate conditions, with capabilities including smart irrigation systems and professional tree care. BIG BOSS Landscape emphasizes clear communication and transparent quotes, ensuring clients understand all aspects of their projects.

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First Option Landscape

14710 N 183rd Ln, Surprise, AZ 85388

First Option Landscape is a landscaping and lawn care company based in Phoenix, AZ. They offer a wide range of services including landscape design, lawn care, tree maintenance, sprinkler installation and repair, landscape lighting, synthetic turf installation, and hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. The company serves residential, commercial, and community properties across Phoenix and surrounding areas. Their team is knowledgeable about local plants and provides tailored maintenance and renovation services to meet client needs.

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Understanding Arizona's Lawn Environment

Arizona's climate is predominantly warm and arid, which favors warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. These grasses thrive in the heat but have distinct growth cycles that dictate care schedules. Unlike cool-season grasses, they go dormant and turn brown during the cooler winter months, which is a natural survival mechanism. The key to effective lawn care here is working with these cycles-promoting vigorous growth during the warm season and protecting the lawn during its dormant or slow-growth periods. Soil in many parts of Arizona can be alkaline and compacted, affecting nutrient availability and water penetration, making proper fertilization and weed control techniques even more critical ¹ ².

The Essential Year-Round Schedule

A proactive, calendar-based plan is the foundation of lawn health. Reacting to problems like yellowing grass or weed outbreaks is less effective than preventing them.

Early Spring (February - March)

This is arguably the most important window for weed prevention. As soil temperatures approach 55°F, summer weed seeds begin to germinate ³ ⁴. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide during this time creates a barrier at the soil surface, stopping weeds like crabgrass and spurge before they ever appear. This is also an ideal time for the first feeding of the year with a slow-release or iron-rich fertilizer to encourage green-up as the grass exits dormancy ⁵ ¹ ⁶.

Late Spring & Summer (April - September)

This is the peak growing season for warm-season grasses. Fertilization should occur regularly, typically every 4 to 8 weeks, to support sustained growth and color ³ ⁶. During the hottest months, formulations higher in iron can provide deep green color without excessive growth that demands more water. Weed control shifts to post-emergent herbicides to tackle any breakthrough weeds like dandelions or clover. Consistent, deep watering is vital during this period to activate products and prevent drought stress ³ ⁷.

Fall (September - October)

As temperatures begin to moderate, apply another round of pre-emergent herbicide to target winter annual weeds like poa annua ⁴ ⁸. A fall fertilizer application, often higher in potassium, helps strengthen grass roots for the coming cooler months and improves winter hardiness, setting the stage for a strong spring green-up ⁵ ¹.

Winter (November - January)

Growth slows or stops as lawns go dormant. Fertilization is not about growth but about health; an application of an iron-rich, slow-release product can help maintain a greener color in dormant Bermuda grass ¹ ⁶. This is also the time when cool-season ryegrass is often overseeded for winter lawns, which requires its own separate fertilization and care schedule ².

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Choosing the Right Products

Selecting appropriate fertilizers and herbicides is crucial for effectiveness and lawn safety.

Fertilizers

Look for slow-release nitrogen formulas. These provide a steady supply of nutrients over time, promoting even growth and reducing the risk of burn. The NPK ratio (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) is important; a common balanced ratio for Arizona lawns is 15-5-10, but soil testing can provide precise recommendations ⁵ ⁹. Iron supplements (chelated iron) are particularly valuable in Arizona's alkaline soils, where iron deficiency can cause yellowing, and they provide green-up without a growth surge ⁴ ¹.

Weed Control

Pre-emergent Herbicides: Active ingredients like prodiamine are widely used for creating a long-lasting barrier against weed seeds ⁴ ¹⁰. Timing the application just before weed seeds germinate (when soil temps hit 55°F) is more important than the specific brand.
Post-emergent Herbicides: For weeds that are already visible, use selective herbicides. These target specific weed types (like broadleaf weeds) without harming your grass. Common active ingredients include 2,4-D, Dicamba, and Quinclorac ¹⁰ ⁹. For spot treatment of weeds in patios or driveways, non-selective herbicides like glyphosate are used, but they will kill any plant they touch, so use with extreme caution on lawns.

Cost Considerations for Professional Services

While DIY is an option, many homeowners prefer the expertise, consistency, and time savings of professional lawn care. Costs can vary based on lawn size, service frequency, and product choices.

A typical weed control visit for active weed problems can range from $50 to $100 ¹¹. For a comprehensive program, a basic annual fertilization and weed prevention plan often falls between $300 and $600, which usually includes 4 to 6 scheduled treatments throughout the year ¹¹ ¹². On a per-treatment basis, you might expect to pay $65 to $100 for a standard application for a lawn up to 10,000 square feet, or roughly $0.02 to $0.06 per square foot annually for a full program ¹².

Best Practices for Success

Products alone won't guarantee a perfect lawn. These cultural practices are essential partners to any chemical program.

Watering Deeply and Infrequently: Lawns need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, including rainfall. Deep watering encourages deep roots, which makes grass more drought-tolerant and resilient. It's also necessary to water in most granular fertilizers and pre-emergent herbicides to activate them and move them into the root zone ³ ⁵.
Proper Mowing: For warm-season grasses, mow at the recommended height (often 1.5-2 inches for Bermuda). Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. Taller grass shades the soil, helping to prevent weed germination and conserve moisture ¹ ¹⁰.
Soil Health: Periodically aerating your lawn can alleviate compaction, improve water infiltration, and allow fertilizers to reach the root zone more effectively. Addressing soil health solves many underlying issues that fertilizers and herbicides merely mask.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Month-by-Month Lawn Care Calendar for Arizona - Lawn Love - https://lawnlove.com/blog/arizona-lawn-care-calendar/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶
Desert Lawn Care Guide - Arizona Department of Water Resources - https://www.azwater.gov/sites/default/files/media/Desert%20Lawn%20Care%20Guide.pdf ↩ ↩²
Seasonal Lawn Care Maintenance and Treatment Schedule - https://www.trugreen.com/lawn-care-101/blog/trugreen-lawn-care-services/lawn-maintenance-checklist ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
The Best Weed Control Schedule for Your Lawn in Phoenix, AZ | Divine Design Landscaping - https://www.divinedesignlawncare.com/blog/the-best-weed-control-schedule-for-your-lawn-in-phoenix-az/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Fertilization and Weed Control: Timing and Application - OneNeighbor - https://www.oneneighbor.com/blog/fertilization-and-weed-control-timing-and-application ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Lawn Fertilization Gilbert Arizona - https://www.littlejohnslawns.com/lawn-fertilization ↩ ↩² ↩³
Ornamental Landscape Bed Weed Control: Maximize the Opportunity, Minimize the Labor Costs - https://centralpros.com/ornamental-landscape-bed-weed-control-maximize-the-opportunity-minimize-the-labor-costs/ ↩
Year Round Lawn Care Schedule and Tips For Maintaining ... - https://scottsmiraclegro.com/en-us/learn/lawn-care/your-seasonal-guide-to-a-lush-lawn.html ↩
Cool Season Turf Fertilizer Schedule - Solutions Pest & Lawn - https://www.solutionsstores.com/cool-season-turf-fertilizer-schedule ↩ ↩²
Lawn Care Schedule For Warm Season Grasses - DoMyOwn - https://www.domyown.com/lawn-care-schedule-for-warm-season-grasses-a-538.html ↩ ↩² ↩³
How much does lawn care service cost? - Green Lawn Fertilizing - https://www.greenlawnfertilizing.com/blog/how-much-does-lawn-care-service-cost ↩ ↩²
How Much Does It Cost to Fertilize a Lawn? (2026) - HomeGuide - https://homeguide.com/costs/lawn-fertilizer-service-cost ↩ ↩²

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