Here in North Texas, it’s important to stick to a watering and fertilization schedule that works for your lawn. We have hot summers, but we’ve also got random cold snaps in the spring and fall. It’s good to know when to do what, in order to keep your yard healthy.
Water Carefully
Regular watering is the key to a healthy and vibrant lawn. When it comes to summer lawn care, you have to keep an eye on your grass to avoid drought-induced dry spots. Hot weather can take a toll on certain grass types. And yet, these days, we are faced with unpredictable weather as well as watering restrictions.
So what to do? Fortunately, the most common North Texas grasses are fairly drought-resistant. Some homeowners don’t realize that watering deeply- about an inch all at once- is actually more effective than watering frequently. The key is to saturate your topsoil so that your grass’s root system can sustain the stolons and grass blades that are actually visible above-ground.
Watering your lawn either early in the morning or late in the evening is best. Watering at night can promote the growth of fungus and mold. Watering in the heat of the day can be a waste, as much of it will simply evaporate before it is soaked into the ground. Irrigating your lawn when the ambient temperature is moderate helps ensure that it soaks into the soil and gets absorbed by the grass’s root system.
If your yard has a sloped terrain, you need to pay special attention to areas in which the water might accumulate. Over-saturated grass is especially vulnerable to lawn diseases, and it can also create an environment for unwanted pests to propagate. Standing water invites flies, mosquitoes, and a host of fungal infections.
You also need to consider rain when it comes to watering your lawn, especially in the spring and fall seasons. If you’ve had a healthy amount of natural precipitation, then it’s perfectly reasonable to cut back on your watering regimen. In fact, you should do so, to avoid over-saturating your topsoil!
If you’ve got an in-ground sprinkler system, read more about Setting Your Water Sprinklers: When and How Long.
Fertilization Schedule
Fertilizing is crucial to maintaining a healthy lawn. However, just like all lawn care practices, there is a balance. Both over- and under-fertilizing can invite unwanted weeds and lawn diseases. Find out what your particular lawn needs in order to thrive, and follow suit.
The best fertilization schedule to follow can be a bit tricky. This is because your grass will absorb the most nutrients during its active growth season, and yet you don’t want to apply these minerals when it’s so hot that you risk burning you lawn.
Fertilizers don’t soak in immediately, so even if you apply them early or late in the day when the temperature is moderate, you still risk damaging your lawn. This is why most experts suggest an application in both early and late spring, and perhaps one more in the summertime before fall sets in.
Most fertilizers are more efficient if you water the lawn shortly after. This helps them absorb into the soil and feed your grass’s root system. For more information about a healthy fertilization schedule, check out our lawn fertilization services.
