Texas summers can be tough on your lawn, and a few common mistakes can make things worse. From overwatering to mowing too short, small missteps add up fast.
Avoiding these pitfalls will keep your grass healthy and looking its best all season. Here are 12 summer lawn mistakes Texas gardeners should steer clear of.
1. Mowing Too Short
Scalping your lawn removes its natural defense against heat stress. Taller grass develops deeper roots and shades the soil, reducing water loss in the Texas sun.
Raise your mower height to 3-4 inches during summer months. Your grass will thank you by staying greener longer, even when temperatures climb above 100°F.
2. Watering at Wrong Times
Sprinklers running at high noon waste precious water through evaporation. The scorching Texas afternoon sun can evaporate up to 30% of water before it even reaches your grass roots.
Early morning watering (4-8am) allows moisture to soak deep into soil. Many Texas municipalities enforce watering restrictions, so check local ordinances for your allowed days.
3. Fertilizing During Heat Waves
Applying fertilizer during 90+ degree days can severely burn your grass. The nitrogen compounds react with heat and can literally cook your lawn from the roots up.
Hold off on feeding until temperatures moderate. Many Texas lawn experts recommend avoiding fertilizer entirely from June through August when the state’s temperatures regularly exceed safe application levels.
4. Ignoring Soil Compaction
Hard, compacted soil prevents water from reaching grass roots. After Texas thunderstorms, water often pools on lawns instead of soaking in, leaving roots thirsty despite apparent moisture.
Core aeration creates channels for water, oxygen and nutrients. For clay-heavy soils common across Texas, consider aerating twice yearly to combat the extreme compaction that summer heat causes.
5. Overwatering Established Lawns
Excessive watering promotes shallow root systems and fungal diseases. Your grass needs training to grow deep roots that can access moisture further down during Texas droughts.
Water deeply but infrequently – about 1 inch per week total. St. Augustine and Bermuda grasses, popular throughout Texas, actually become more drought-resistant when slightly stressed between thorough waterings.
6. Neglecting Weed Prevention
Summer weeds compete aggressively for water and nutrients. Crabgrass and nutsedge thrive in the Texas heat while your regular lawn struggles, quickly taking over bare or stressed areas.
Apply pre-emergent herbicides before soil temperatures reach 70°F. Many Texas gardeners mark their calendars for application when the native bluebonnets begin blooming – nature’s perfect timing indicator.
7. Using Dull Mower Blades
Blunt blades tear grass instead of cleanly cutting it. These ragged edges create larger wounds that lose more moisture and provide entry points for diseases in the humid Texas climate.
Sharpen mower blades at least twice during growing season. Professional Texas landscapers often carry multiple blade sets, swapping them out weekly during peak summer growth periods.
8. Forgetting Pest Control
Chinch bugs and grubs feast on Texas lawns during summer months. These sneaky pests operate below the surface, often mistaken for drought damage as they systematically destroy root systems.
Perform the coffee can test: cut both ends off a can, push it into soil, fill with water. If bugs float up, treat immediately. Texas A&M extension offices offer free identification services for lawn pests specific to your region.
9. Planting Wrong Grass Types
Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass struggle tremendously in Texas summers. They require excessive water and still turn brown when temperatures consistently exceed 85°F.
Choose native or adapted warm-season varieties instead. Zoysia and Buffalo grass have evolved to handle Texas conditions, with some newer varieties staying green even during water restrictions in Dallas, Austin and Houston areas.
10. Excessive Thatch Buildup
Thatch creates a barrier preventing water from reaching soil. During Texas summers, even a half-inch layer can significantly reduce irrigation effectiveness while harboring harmful insects.
Dethatch when layer exceeds ¼ inch thick. The ideal time for Texas lawns is early summer before peak heat arrives. Bermuda grass is especially prone to thatch buildup in the southern regions of the state.
11. Ignoring Soil pH
Alkaline soils dominate much of Texas, limiting nutrient availability. Grass may yellow despite regular fertilizing because iron becomes locked up in high-pH conditions common west of I-35.
Test soil annually and apply sulfur or acidifying agents if needed. Many Texas gardeners use coffee grounds around acid-loving plants, but larger lawns require specific amendments available at local garden centers.
12. Over-Applying Herbicides
Chemical weed killers stress grass during heat. When temperatures exceed 85°F, herbicides can damage even healthy lawns, creating bare patches that invite more weeds across Texas yards.
Spot-treat problems rather than broadcasting chemicals. Hand-pulling weeds after rain is surprisingly effective and eco-friendly. The Texas Organic Farmers Association recommends corn gluten meal as a natural pre-emergent alternative.