Our 2024 Dallas Lawn Care Schedule

When it comes to lawn maintenance in Dallas, following a lawn care plan for each season is the key to making your lawn look fantastic. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the Dallas Lawn Care Schedule for 2024 covering everything your lawn needs in spring, summer, fall and winter! 

The Best Lawn Care Schedule for Warm-Season Grasses in Dallas, TX

Dallas is home to warm-season grasses that thrive in the Texas heat, like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. Warm-season types of grass go through a peak growing season from late spring through early fall. During winter months, they transition into dormancy which is basically like winter hybernation. They turn brown during winter before greening up again in the spring. To maintain a green lawn through summer and a healthy lawn during winter, you’ll need to follow a proper lawn care schedule year round.

Spring Lawn Care

Early spring is the time of year when lawns are waking up from a winter sleep and it’s time to kick lawn care into high gear. Lawns need spring fertilization to encourage green up, core aeration to strengthen roots, and weed prevention to prepare for summer. 

Weed Control  

The best way to get ahead of difficult summer weeds like crabgrass is with pre-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergents are designed to prevent weed seeds from germinating and should be applied in early spring to prevent summer weeds. They won’t prevent 100% of weeds, but they are crucial to keeping lawn weeds under control. 

Fertilization

Applying a balanced lawn fertilizer in spring is also helpful to boost your lawn into spring green up. A nitrogren-rich fertilizer will help enhance lawn color and can be applied in early to late spring. 

When to Start Mowing 

In North Texas, the best time for the first mow is normally during early spring when the lawn begins actively growing again, around early March depending on temperatures. Warm-season grasses start growing when soil temperatures reach about 65 degrees. It’s recommended to mow at a low setting and bag your grass clippings to remove debris from the lawn.

Core Aeration

Spring is the best time of year for warm-season lawn aeration. Core aeration is the process of pulling plugs of soil from the lawn with an aerator machine, creating new space in the soil and allowing your lawn to breathe. It is beneficial to promote strong root systems, alleviate compaction, and encourage healthy growth in your lawn. You can schedule core aeration from late spring to early summer, when lawns have transitioned out of dormancy, before the peak growing season. 

Summer Lawn Care

Texas lawns are in their prime time during summer and your lawn care should be, too! Lawns need extra attention, treatment, and proper watering to stay lush and healthy through summer heat in Dallas. 

Weed Control  

You may notice an influx of weeds during summer, and that’s normal for the peak growing season. Spot treat weeds as you seem them, and keep the lawn mowed at the proper height for an added natural defense against weed breakthough. 

Fertilization  

Summer is also a great time of year to apply lawn fertilizer because the grass is actively growing and can better absorb the nutrients. Applying a balanced fertilizer during summer with help maintain a green lawn with healthy root systems and grass growth. 

Mowing and Watering  

Watering is crucial during summer! The best time of day to water your lawn is in the early morning to prevent water loss from evaporation. Watering before the sun starts beating down at full blast gives the water time to soak into the lawn and soil, getting the best benefit from your watering. Keep an eye out for areas of the lawn that your sprinklers aren’t reaching and supplement with hose watering. It’s recommend to water deeply, infrequently, rather than short daily spurts. Short watering will encourage shallow roots. Mow on a weekly schedule if possible, at the recommended mowing height for your type of grass. Make sure your mower blades are sharp to avoid an uneven cut causing discoloration in your lawn. 

Lawn Pest Control 

In North Texas, lawn pest control may also be a focus point during summer. Common lawn damaging insects like chinch bugs or grubs may start popping in late summer to early fall. Chinch bugs are mostly active from July to September and should be treated with an insectide to avoid damage in your lawn. Grubs can be treated with a preventative insecticide before they start feeding on grass roots in early fall.

Fall Lawn Care

During the early fall, lawns are still actively growing but it’s time to start thinking about preparing cooler days. Lawns will benefit from fall fertilization, another round of seasonal pre-emergents, and pest control treatment or prevention. Raking is also an important landscaping chore that shouldn’t be skipped. Fall leaves are pretty but they block sunlight, water, and air from reaching the lawn when it still needs it. 

Weed Control  

When fall rolls around, it’s a good time to schedule another seasonal pre-emergent. Prevention is the key to successful weed control and weeds don’t stop when lawns go to sleep for winter. Bright green weeds can stick out like an eyesore in a dormant lawn. Fall pre-emergent herbicides are the best way to prevent winter annual weeds. 

Fall Lawn Fertilization 

Fertilization is an important part of fall lawn care. Summer weather puts Texas lawns through a lot of dry heat and stress, leaving lawns weakened by early fall. Applying a potassium-rich fertilizer in early to late fall is the best way to improve a lawn’s winter hardiness and restore much-needed nutrients before dormancy.

Lawn Pest Control 

Keep an eye out for grub activity in early fall. White grubs live just beneath the soil and feed on the root systems which can cause areas of your grass to appear brown or dead. A surefire sign of grubs is if the area of grass pulls up easily like carpet. You’ll likely catch the perpetrators in the act and may benefit from calling a lawn pest control company near you . 

Winter Lawn Care and Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips

By winter, Dallas lawns will begin turning brown when transitioning into dormancy. However, lawn maintenance is a year-round chore. Winter is a great time of year for soil testing, limestone application, and some TLC for your lawn mower and tools. 

Limestone and Soil Testing 

Homeowners often ask what lime is used for on lawns. Limestone is a pH balancer for the soil and winter is a great time to apply it due to the cooler, wet conditions. Healthy soil is the greatest foundation to a healthy lawn. Take the winter season to conduct soil testing to check if there are any missing nutrients in your lawn’s soil. You can send soil samples to your local extension office and normally expect results in 4-6 weeks. 

Lawn Mower Maintenance  

Before storing your mower away for winter, sharpen the mower blades so you are ready for the next season. It’s also a good time to change the oil or check the age of your oil, as well as replacing the spark plugs if needed. Your future self will thank you when it’s time to start mowing again in early spring!

Professional Lawn Care Services Near Dallas

Lawn Tech is the local lawn care service you can trust to provide everything your lawn needs throughout the year. Since 1985, we’ve serviced Dallas, Allen , Frisco , Prosper , Plano , McKinney , Irving, Denton, Fairview, Flower Mound, and surrounding areas. We offer lawn care programs including weed control and fertilization , lawn pest control , aeration , tree and shrub care, and more. As a local company, we know what it takes to maintain a healthy lawn in the Texas climate. Contact us today to get a free quote!