When does pre-emergent application typically open in Tujunga, CA?

Pre-emergent application typically opens in April to May for Tujunga, CA, when 2-inch soil temperature reaches the 50–55°F threshold for several consecutive days. Apply earlier than that and the herbicide degrades before crabgrass germinates; apply later and weeds have already sprouted. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

What grass types grow best in Tujunga, CA?

Tujunga, CA is a transition zone where both cool-season and warm-season grasses are common. Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, Bahia) thrive once 2-inch soil sits in the 65–90°F range and go dormant brown over winter. Picking a grass family that matches the climate is the single biggest lawn-care decision; transition-zone homeowners often maintain blends and accept that neither family will look perfect year-round. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

When is the first fall frost typically expected in Tujunga, CA?

Tujunga, CA sees little to no typical fall frost in most years. Cool-season tasks anchored to a frost date use a calendar-fallback window instead. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

How often is this schedule updated?

Recommendations recompute every 6 hours from the latest reading at Stubblefield, about 84 miles from Tujunga. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

What soil temperature do warm-season grasses need to germinate?

Seeded warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia germinate best when 2-inch soil temperature sits in the 65–90°F range for several consecutive days; below that range, seed sits dormant or rots. St. Augustine establishes from sod or plugs rather than seed, but takes hold in the same warm-soil window. The re-entry interval (REI) on any post-emergent products you apply during establishment is on the product label; respect it before letting pets or children back on treated areas. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

Where does the soil temperature data for Tujunga come from?

Soil temperature for Tujunga comes from Stubblefield, a station in the USDA Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) located about 84 miles away. Daily readings at depths from 2 inches down to 40 inches feed the schedule's window-open and window-closing decisions. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

Lawn Care Schedule for Tujunga, CA

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Right now in Tujunga

56°F at 2-inch depth · Measured in the ground · Stubblefield (USDA SCAN #2219), 84 mi NW · read 2 days ago (Oct 25, 2026) · updates nightly with about a 1-day sensor lag

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Disease

IN WINDOW

Azoxystrobin or propiconazole fungicide

Large patch fungicide for zoysia, St. Augustine and centipede

Large patch is a fungal disease of zoysia, St. Augustine and centipede that shows as tan or orange rings in fall and spring. The fungus starts its attack as soil cools in autumn, which is when a preventive fungicide goes down. Extension sources put cultural steps first: no fall nitrogen, early-morning watering only when needed, and better drainage.

Read the full guide →

Granules, for a spreader: Scotts DiseaseEx (azoxystrobin)
Liquid, zoysia only; needs pump sprayer: Select Source propiconazole 14.3

Shallow soil temperatures are in the action band at 55.6°F at the Stubblefield sensor, 84 miles from your location.

Window: Sep 1 to Dec 31. Window typically open for 2 to 3 weeks.

Why this, why now

[22] NC State Extension: Large Patch in Turf (2019)

Amendment

IN WINDOW

Fall soil test

A soil test from your local extension lab measures pH, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter for around $15-25. Doing it in fall gives you the data to plan winter lime applications and the next season's fertilizer rates without guessing.

Mail-in lab test: MySoil soil test kit

Shallow soil temperatures are in the action band at 55.6°F at the Stubblefield sensor, 84 miles from your location.

Window: Sep 1 to Nov 30. Window typically open for 2 to 3 weeks.

Why this, why now

[25] Penn State Extension: Soil Testing (2026)
(2026)

Amendment

IN WINDOW

Fall lime application

Lime takes months to break down and adjust soil pH, so a fall application has time to work before next spring's growth. Lime belongs on soil whose test shows pH below the target range, because over-liming alkaline soil locks out nutrients.

Test first: MySoil soil test kit
Only if the test shows low pH: Jonathan Green Mag-I-Cal Plus

Shallow soil temperatures are in the action band at 55.6°F at the Stubblefield sensor, 84 miles from your location.

Window: Oct 1 to Nov 30. Window typically open for 2 to 3 weeks.

Why this, why now

No active tasks for your location.

About this schedule

Soil at 2 inches is currently 56°F. Fall lime application is in window now. That is 3°F below the normal for this date. Data from USDA Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN), 84 miles away at Stubblefield.

Sources

Penn State Extension: Managing Thatch in Lawns (2025)
NC State Extension: Carolina Lawns: A Guide to Maintaining Quality Turf in the Landscape (2021)
NC State Extension: Goosegrass (2022)
Penn State Extension: Lawn and Turfgrass Weeds: Goosegrass (2025)
Penn State Extension: Liming Turfgrass Areas (2002)
: Fall Lawn Care (2025)

Lawn Care Schedule for Tujunga, CA

Right now in Tujunga

Lawn Care Schedule for Tujunga, CA

Right now in Tujunga

October

Large patch fungicide for zoysia, St. Augustine and centipede

Fall soil test

Fall lime application

November

December

About this schedule

Sources