Keeping a lawn healthy in Central Texas is less about following a strict schedule and more about doing the right task at the right time of year. The heat, the clay soil, and the long growing season all shape what your yard needs. This calendar walks you through the year, season by season, so you know what to focus on and when. Treat it as a flexible guide, and always adjust to the actual weather instead of the date on the page.
Most lawns along the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio are warm-season grasses. That usually means St. Augustine, Bermuda, or Zoysia. These grasses wake up in spring, grow hard through summer, slow down in fall, and go dormant in winter. Knowing that rhythm is the whole game. If you want help matching your yard to the right variety, see our guide to the best grass for Central Texas.
When should I fertilize my lawn in Central Texas?
Fertilize once your grass has fully greened up in spring, usually around April, and again in early fall around September. Feeding too early wastes product on grass that is still waking up, and feeding in the middle of summer heat can stress the lawn or push weak, thirsty growth. The Texas A&M AggieTurf program is a solid reference for warm-season timing, and their St. Augustinegrass lawn management guide breaks down feeding rates in plain terms.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is when everything comes back to life, so it sets up the whole year.
- Cleanup first. Rake out dead thatch and leftover leaves so light and air reach the soil.
- Wait to fertilize. Hold off until the grass is green and growing, usually April. A single balanced feeding is enough to start.
- Pre-emergent weed control. Apply a pre-emergent in late winter or very early spring, before soil temperatures climb, to stop crabgrass and other summer weeds before they sprout.
- Start mowing. Begin cutting as growth picks up. Keep St. Augustine around 3 to 4 inches and Bermuda lower, closer to 1 to 2 inches.
- Check your irrigation. Run each zone and look for broken heads or dry spots before the heat arrives.
Spring rain does a lot of the watering for you, so hold back on the sprinklers. Deep, occasional watering builds stronger roots than a light daily sprinkle.
How often should I mow in summer?
In summer you will usually mow every 5 to 7 days, because warm-season grass grows fast in the heat. The key rule never changes: never cut more than a third of the blade at once. Scalping the lawn stresses it and opens the door to weeds and drought damage.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is survival season. Your job is to help the lawn hold moisture and shrug off the heat.
- Raise the blade. Mow on the taller side of your grass range. Longer blades shade the soil and keep roots cooler.
- Water deep and early. Water in the early morning, about 1 inch per week including rain, in one or two soakings rather than daily sprinkles. Watering at night invites fungus.
- Watch for stress. Grass that turns bluish gray or shows footprints that stay pressed down is telling you it needs a drink.
- Leave the clippings. Grasscycling returns nutrients to the soil and helps hold moisture.
- Spot-treat weeds. Pull or spot-spray as needed, but avoid broad weed, and feed products in peak heat.
Watering restrictions are common across Central Texas in summer, and the rules vary from city to city. Check your current local watering schedule before you set your controller, because allowed days and times change from one town to the next and can tighten during drought.
If mowing every few days in triple-digit heat is not how you want to spend your summer, our lawn maintenance service keeps yards across the Austin area cut, edged, and healthy on a steady schedule.
What lawn care does fall need?
Fall is the time to feed the roots and set your lawn up for a strong comeback next spring. As the heat breaks, warm-season grass puts energy back into its roots instead of top growth, so what you do now pays off months later.
Fall (September to November)
- Fertilize in early fall. Around September, apply your second feeding of the year. This helps the grass store energy for winter and green up faster in spring.
- Aerate if the soil is compacted. Central Texas clay packs down hard. Core aeration in early fall, or in late spring, loosens the soil so water and nutrients reach the roots. Once a year is enough for most yards.
- Apply a fall pre-emergent. A pre-emergent in early fall helps block cool-season weeds like henbit and annual bluegrass before they take hold.
- Keep mowing, then lower gradually. Continue cutting until growth slows. As the season winds down, you can drop the height slightly on the last few mows.
- Manage leaves. Do not let leaves pile up and smother the grass. Mulch them with the mower or rake them off.
Fall weather in Central Texas is unpredictable. Some years stay warm into November, others cool off early. Watch the grass, not just the calendar, and keep feeding and mowing as long as it keeps growing.
Do I need to do anything in winter?
Yes, but not much. Winter is mostly a rest period for both you and the lawn. Warm-season grasses go dormant and turn brown, and that is normal, not dead.
Winter (December to February)
- Mow rarely. Dormant grass barely grows, so you might mow once or not at all. Clear any stray leaves or debris.
- Water before a freeze. A deep watering a day or two ahead of a hard freeze helps insulate the roots. Otherwise, water only during long dry spells.
- Skip fertilizer. Feeding dormant grass wastes product and can feed winter weeds instead.
- Plan your pre-emergent. Late winter is the window for your spring pre-emergent, before soil temperatures rise and summer weeds germinate.
- Service your equipment. Sharpen mower blades and tune up gear now so you are ready when spring hits. A dull blade tears grass and invites disease.
A sharp blade matters more than people think. Clean cuts heal fast, torn ones brown at the tips and stress the plant.
Adjust to the weather, not just the date
The single most useful habit in Central Texas is watching real conditions. A wet spring means less watering. An early heat wave means you raise the mower sooner. A mild winter can keep grass growing into December. Use this calendar as your baseline, then read your own yard. The grass will tell you what it needs if you pay attention to color, growth speed, and how quickly the soil dries out.
Get the timing right and your lawn stays thick, green, and tough enough to handle Central Texas summers. Get it wrong and you fight weeds and brown patches all year. If you would rather hand it off, Corral Bros Landscaping & Design is a family-run crew serving the I-35 corridor from Austin to San Antonio. Request a free quote or call us at (737) 404-9343, and we will keep your lawn on the right schedule all year long.