Lawn care strategies for upcoming warmer weather

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your lawn looking lush and green in the hot and dry climate of the Texas Hill Country. Proper irrigation and maintenance are essential to ensuring your lawn stays healthy during the summer months, and with the right strategies, you can have a beautiful lawn all season long.

The first step to proper lawn irrigation is to ensure you water your lawn at the right time of day. The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning before the sun is at its highest point in the sky. This allows the water to penetrate the soil and be absorbed by the roots before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate. If you water your lawn in the middle of the day or late afternoon, much of the water will be lost to evaporation before it can do any good.

It’s also important to water your lawn deeply but infrequently. This means giving your lawn a good soaking once or twice a week instead of a light watering every day. Deep watering encourages the roots to grow deeper, making your lawn more drought-resistant and less reliant on frequent watering.

Another important factor to consider is the type of sprinkler you use. In the Texas Hill Country, where water can be scarce, it’s important to use an efficient sprinkler that doesn’t waste water. When assessing what sprinkler you need for your lawn, you need to consider how much water that species of grass needs, the type of irrigation system you have, your overall irrigation budget, and any relevant water restrictions or legislation in your area.

In addition to proper irrigation, there are several maintenance strategies you can employ to keep your lawn healthy during the summer months. One of the most important is to mow your lawn at the right height. In the Texas Hill Country, where temperatures can soar into the triple digits, it’s best to keep your grass a little longer than you might in other parts of the country. This helps shade the soil and reduce evaporation, keeping your lawn healthier and more resilient.

It’s also important to keep your lawn well fed during the summer months. Texas lawns usually need a fertilizer with a low rate of nitrogen applied once in the spring and, if needed, once again in the fall no later than six weeks before the expected first frost. It’s best to split the fertilizer into two smaller applications rather than one heavy application. A high-quality fertilizer can help the lawn grow strong and healthy, making it better able to withstand the stress of hot temperatures and drought conditions.

Finally, don’t forget to keep an eye out for pests and diseases that can damage your lawn. Insects like chinch bugs and grubs can wreak havoc on your lawn, while diseases like brown patch can turn your grass brown and unsightly. Regular inspections and treatments as needed can help keep your lawn healthy and pest-free.

By following the proper lawn irrigation and maintenance strategies, you can keep your lawn looking beautiful and healthy all summer long, even in the upcoming hot and dry climate of the Texas Hill Country.

Article written by Hays County Agrilife Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent Aaron McCoy For further assistance and consultation feel free to reach out to the Hays County Agrilife Extension Office at hays-tx@ag.tamu.edu or 512-393-2120.