Lawn care trends to expect in 2026

Last Updated on: 3rd December 2025, 02:01 pm

Read our predictions for this year’s lawn care trends.

If you live in Northeastern North Carolina, you already know our lawn care trends don’t always follow the same rules as the rest of the country. Our warm winters, humid summers, sandy-to-clay soil mix, and unpredictable rain patterns mean every year brings new challenges for grass, flower beds, and landscaping.

For 2026, homeowners across Bertie and Hertford counties should prepare for a year shaped by warmer temperatures, higher weed pressure, more insects, and longer growing cycles. Whether you maintain your own yard or rely on a local service like Tayloe’s Lawn Care, understanding what’s coming will help you stay ahead of the season.

Below is your region-specific breakdown — based on local weather patterns, past seasons, and lawn trends unique to rural Northeastern NC.

1. A Warmer-Than-Normal Winter Means Early Weed Germination

Eastern North Carolina has been experiencing several mild winters in a row, and 2026 is expected to continue that pattern. Warm ground temperatures mean:

Henbit and chickweed will germinate earlier than usual.
Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) will be thicker and harder to control.
The first round of spring weeds may appear in late February, not March.
Homeowners who skip winter cleanup may see moss and algae in shady areas.

What This Means for Your Lawn

You will need pre-emergent weed control products earlier than usual. Northeastern NC typically hits the soil-temperature window (55°F) sooner than areas to the west of I-95.

If you want to stay ahead of weeds:

Plan on your first pre-emergent in February.
Keep leaves and debris off the lawn to prevent moisture buildup.
Use a light rake to break up moss before temperatures warm up.

2. Expect a Hot, Humid Summer With Higher Fungal Pressure

Humidity is part of our climate — but the last few summers have been especially muggy, and that trend is expected to continue into 2026.

High humidity + warm nights = ideal fungal conditions, especially for:

Brown patch (fescue)
Dollar spot
Zoysia patch
Root rot
Summer die-off on centipede and Bermuda grasses stressed by drought

What Homeowners Need to Know

Fungus spreads quickly when:

Grass is cut too short
Watering is inconsistent
Morning dew stays on the lawn too long
Thatch is too heavy

In 2026, homeowners should:

Mow at the proper height
Water at dawn, not at night
Avoid fertilizing during extreme heat
Watch for circular spots or thinning patches early

3. Soil Conditions Are Shifting — and NC Lawns Will Need More Nutrient Management

Many Northeastern NC lawns sit on a combination of sandy loam, hard clay, and low-nutrient soil, especially in rural and agricultural areas. Over the last few years, soil tests have shown:

Lower potassium levels
Increasing acidity
Thinner topsoil in heavily eroded areas
Compaction from storms and flooding events

What to Expect in 2026 Lawn Care Trends

Lawns will need:

More lime to balance pH
More consistent fertilization for fescue lawns
Better drainage where soil stays wet for days
More aeration in clay-heavy neighborhoods

If you’ve never done a soil test, 2026 is the year to start. The NC Extension office provides them free most of the year except during peak winter.

4. Mosquito, Fire Ant, and Armyworm Activity Will Increase

Warm winters set the stage for a long insect season, and 2026 is expected to produce a higher number of:

Mosquitoes (early hatching, late season)
Fire ants (colonies spread faster in wet ground)
Armyworms (often appear in late summer after heavy rains)
White grubs (root-feeding larvae of Japanese beetles)

What Homeowners Should Prepare For

Mosquito season will likely begin in April.
Fire ant mounds will expand after the first few heavy rains.
Armyworms may show up in August or early September.
Grubs may cause brown patches that look like drought but are actually root damage.

Book Tayloe’s Mosquito Control Now

Our mosquito control spots are limited – book now to get on our 2026 list!

5. Longer Growing Seasons = More Mowing & Maintenance

Our mowing season once ran from March to October. Now:

Fescue grows into early November, if warm weather holds
Bermuda and centipede stay green longer
Weeds rarely fully go dormant

2026 is expected to have an even longer mowing season, possibly from late February until mid-November.

What This Means

Mowing frequency may increase
Edging and trimming will require more attention
Flower beds may need more mulch refreshes
Gutters and drains need to stay debris-free to prevent waterlogging

If you handle your own mowing, expect to sharpen blades and service equipment more often, because sand and humidity wear equipment faster in our region.

6. Storm Patterns Will Create More Erosion & Drainage Issues

Our part of North Carolina is no stranger to:

Tropical storms
Sudden heavy downpours
Flooding from creeks and fields
Standing water after long rain events

Early projections show that 2026 will include more tropical activity than average, which leads to:

Washed-out mulch
Rutting in the lawn
Soil displacement
Fungus outbreaks
Areas that become chronically muddy

Proactive Homeowners Should:

Install or refresh bed edging
Add French drains or trenches in problem areas
Choose heavier mulches that don’t wash away easily
Reseed thin areas in fall so grass can root deeper
Trim trees and limbs to prevent storm damage

7. Native and Low-Maintenance Landscaping Will Trend All Year

More NC homeowners are looking for:

Pollinator-friendly yards
Plants that thrive without much watering
Drought-tolerant shrubs
Mulch that lasts longer
Less turf, more beds

Popular choices in Northeastern NC for 2026 include:

Knock-out roses
Lantana
Crepe myrtles
Hostas (shady areas)
Daylilies
Hollies
Junipers
Rudbeckia
Ornamental grasses

Expect native landscaping to remain one of the strongest trends because it lowers maintenance costs and survives heat better.

8. Budgets Will Shift — Homeowners Want Value, Not Gimmicks

With inflation still affecting families, homeowners in rural NC want:

Reliable service
Predictable pricing
Seasonal packages
Trustworthy local providers
Practical solutions — not trendy products

2026 homeowners will prioritize maintenance they can’t do themselves:

Weekly mowing
Flower bed maintenance
Mulch installs
Shrub trimming
Weed prevention
Seasonal cleanup
Mosquito control

This is great news for service companies that focus on consistency and customer relationships — which is exactly where Tayloe’s Lawn Care shines.

9. Homeowners Will Want Fewer Weeds, Cleaner Edges & Better Curb Appeal

With more people working from home or spending time outdoors, lawns and landscapes matter more than ever. For our region, the top priorities will be:

Clean edging
Full, healthy turf
Weed-free beds
Less overgrowth
More seasonal color
Better-managed water flow
Outdoor living spaces

Homeowners don’t want a fancy lawn — they want a neat, maintained one that looks cared for.

The Takeaway: Lawn Care Trends Always Evolve

Northeastern North Carolina lawn care trends are changing, and 2026 will bring a year of longer growing seasons, heavier weed pressure, more pests, and bigger demands on lawns and landscapes. With a strong plan — and a reliable partner — homeowners can stay ahead of problems and keep their yards healthy all year.

If you’d like help preparing for the upcoming season, Tayloe’s Lawn Care is here to make 2026 your easiest lawn year yet. Send us a text or call our team at 252.287.3376.

Author Profile

Deborah Tayloe

Deborah Tayloe is the CEO and co-founder of Tayloe's Lawn Care Services, LLC. She has a B.S.Ed and holds certificates in soil and water management and herbology from accredited programs.