When To Fertilize Your Lawn in Central Texas
Fertilizing your lawn is vital for keeping it healthy and vibrant. However, timing is everything when it comes to fertilizing, especially in Central Texas. This region’s unique climate and growing conditions demand careful attention regarding when and how you fertilize.
Applying fertilizer at the right time will help your lawn grow and provide the necessary nutrients for it to thrive. Whether you need to restore a patchy lawn or just want lush, green grass all year long, understanding the proper fertilizing schedule can make all the difference.
What Happens if You Don’t Fertilize Your Lawn?
If you don’t use fertilizer on your lawn, it may not get the proper nutrients. As a result, it will be more likely to fall prey to insects, weeds, and diseases. The grass will slowly thin out, making it more likely for the soil to erode and for weeds to take over. It will also lose its color, taking on a sickly yellowish hue due to nutrient deficiencies.
Your lawn may be able to survive without fertilizer, but it won’t reach its full potential. Regular fertilization is the key to maintaining its beauty and robustness over the long term.
The Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn
The best time to fertilize your lawn comes down to the type of grass you have. Many lawns in Central Texas feature zoysia or Bermuda because they flourish in the region’s hot climate. If you have either of these varieties, the following schedule will help you care for your lawn.
Spring
When temperatures begin rising and your grass emerges from dormancy, it’s the perfect time to apply the first layer of fertilizer. This will be approximately six weeks after the last frost.
Mow your lawn two or three times before applying the fertilizer. For best results, you’ll want to perform the first application between late February and early April, depending on where in the state you live.
Warm-season grasses grow best during this time with the aid of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, such as a 16-4-8 blend. Applying this layer can jumpstart growth and help your lawn bounce back from the sleepy winter.
Summer
While not required, a mid-season application can help maintain strong growth throughout the hotter months, especially if you neglected your lawn throughout the spring. If you plan to fertilize in the summer and previously applied some in the spring, wait 45–60 days before adding more.
Use a slow-release fertilizer to avoid triggering a rapid growth spurt. It’s best not to use liquid fertilizers during summer, as they can burn your lawn.
With higher temperatures and less rainfall in the late summer, your grass can begin struggling noticeably. A light application in August can help it get through the remaining sweltering days. Use a product with lower nitrogen levels to avoid excessive growth.
Fall
Applying fertilizer from mid-September to early October can strengthen your lawn’s root system before the temperatures drop. This can be beneficial for lawns that deal with winter weeds.
Using a fertilizer before winter arrives offers the following advantages:
- Defeats invading weeds
- Enhances color
- Promotes density
- Ensures a faster comeback in the spring
Choose a formula with higher potassium to prepare the grass for winter. The ideal time to apply it is about six weeks before the first frost, which typically occurs in October.
Winter
The grasses that do well in Central Texas are typically dormant in the winter, making fertilization optional. However, a light application between December and early January can give your lawn an influx of nutrients ahead of the growing season.
A slow-release formula will work best for this purpose, gradually providing nourishment during the dormant period without overstimulating growth.
When to Turn It Over to the Professionals
It can be challenging to keep your Texas lawn looking sharp. By selecting and applying the right fertilizer at the right times, however, it’s possible to enjoy an attractive, healthy lawn year-round.
Ferris MyCue is the founder and owner of Grass Works Lawn Care, LLC located in Leander, TX. As a former firefighter who maintained yards on his days off, he saw a need for a dependable, local maintenance company that knew the hill country climate and could deliver quality landscaping services for a reasonable price. Since 2007 he has used his leadership to grow the company into one of the top landscape maintenance companies in Austin and surrounding areas offering landscape maintenance, design, and irrigation services to both residential and commercial clients. Ferris is also a member of the Seasonal Employment Alliance (SEA) and an active participant in advocacy efforts to help promote cap relief.