Month-by-month Texas guide
The Houston-area lawn care calendar
What to do in your yard every single month — built for Gulf Coast humidity, clay soil, St. Augustine turf, and the brutal Texas summer. Save this page; you'll come back to it.
January
WinterDormant pruning & planning
- •Trim dormant trees (oaks: avoid Feb–June for oak-wilt risk)
- •Sharpen mower blades and service equipment
- •Plan beds, mulch, and color rotation for spring
- •Light cleanup of leaves and debris
February
Late WinterPre-emergent window opens
- •Apply pre-emergent herbicide before soil temps hit 65°F (typically mid-Feb in Houston)
- •Final dormant pruning for crepe myrtles and roses
- •Rake debris, remove dead annuals from beds
- •Test irrigation system before spring start-up
March
SpringSpring green-up begins
- •Start regular weekly mowing as growth picks up
- •Mulch beds to 2–3" depth
- •Plant warm-season annuals after last frost (~mid-March)
- •Inspect for winter weed pressure
April
SpringFirst fertilization
- •Apply first round of slow-release nitrogen on warm-season turf
- •Spot-treat broadleaf weeds
- •Trim spring-flowering shrubs after bloom
- •Tune irrigation runtimes as temperatures climb
May
SpringPeak growth, mowing rhythm
- •Lock in weekly mow cadence
- •Refresh mulch beds heading into hot months
- •Plant heat-tolerant color (lantana, pentas, salvia)
- •Watch for chinch bug and brown patch starting now
June
Early SummerHeat hits, watering matters
- •Water deeply 1–2 times per week (about 1" total)
- •Raise mowing height slightly to shade soil
- •Treat for fire ants if mounds appear
- •Second fertilization round if needed
July
SummerSurvive the heat
- •Sharp blades only — dull blades shred grass and invite disease
- •Don't fertilize during heat stress
- •Hand-water new plantings
- •Monitor for chinch bug damage in sunny lawn areas
August
Late SummerHeat-stress management
- •Maintain weekly mow even if growth slows
- •Spot-treat chinch bug, sod webworm, and armyworm
- •Top off mulch where it's broken down
- •Plan fall color rotations
September
Early FallHurricane prep & fall reset
- •Trim hazard limbs near structures before storm season peaks
- •Apply fall fertilization (4-6 weeks before first frost)
- •Plant fall color (mums, marigolds, ornamental kale)
- •Schedule aeration for compacted lawns
October
FallFall pre-emergent & cleanup
- •Apply fall pre-emergent for cool-season weed control
- •Begin leaf cleanup as drops increase
- •Reduce irrigation as temps cool
- •Final hedge trimming round
November
FallWinterization
- •Heavy leaf cleanup
- •Drop mowing to bi-weekly as growth slows
- •Blow out irrigation systems before first hard freeze
- •Plant trees and shrubs (best planting window in Houston)
December
WinterCleanup & rest
- •Final leaf and debris cleanup
- •Protect outdoor faucets and irrigation backflows from freeze
- •Mulch beds for winter insulation
- •Plan landscape projects for next year
Lawn calendar FAQs
Go deeper on each season
How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn in Texas?
A clear, season-by-season mowing schedule for Houston-area lawns — and the cut-height mistakes that cost homeowners a healthy yard.
ReadBest Time to Fertilize St. Augustine Grass in Texas
A simple, season-aware fertilization schedule for St. Augustine lawns in Southeast Texas.
ReadHow to Prep Your Yard for Hurricane Season in Houston
A simple, practical checklist to prep your property before tropical weather — and what to do after.
ReadSummer Watering Guide for La Porte, TX Lawns
Most La Porte homeowners are watering wrong all summer. The fix is simpler than you think.
ReadSpring Pre-Emergent Timing for Deer Park, TX Lawns
Miss the pre-emergent window in Deer Park and you fight weeds all summer. Here is the timing that actually works.
ReadWinter Lawn Prep for La Porte, TX Homeowners
La Porte winters are short but the prep matters. A few smart November moves set up a stronger spring.
ReadTexas-specific resource: Texas A&M AggieTurf publishes research-backed turf calendars and pest alerts for Southeast Texas.
Calendar built for Gulf Coast Texas lawns
Every month above is calibrated for Houston-area weather and turf types.
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