Texas homeowners dislike intense heat and worry about grass dying
10 posts across 2 communities in the last 30 days; 80% from r/lawncare.
“For real, who's here in DFW, TX not soaking around your house? 9 years in Carrollton, I just add soil to cover gap, not push it down. No issue as far. I heard story about where soaking around your house can also create problem with uneven moisture condition due to shade…”
“Work keeps me outside all summer running service calls and I watch lawns die in real time across the whole county. Some look torched by July, some hold up fine through the same stretch of 95 degree days with no rain. I cannot always figure out what the difference is. My own lawn…”
“If the borders of the turf are next to concrete--- curb, driveway--- that heat transfers to the soil and the soil never cools off through the night. Common here in Texas where I'm at. If you think compaction is an issue, top dress with sandy loam after the core aeration. If you…”
Multiple users express frustration with the Texas heat, specifically its impact on lawns. They share tips for watering to prevent grass burn and discuss water bill concerns.
SOURCES (42)
“After a long hot and hard fought battle with the SE Texas summer, bugs and fungus I think I've finally got the lawn to turn the corner and heal up before our...checks notes, winter. Still have some areas that won't be fully recovered until next…”
“My water is $200+ for a small lawn in TX. [re: I saved $1800 this year by not watering my lawn in the summer & it still turned green in October. I'll be doing the same again next year.]”
“Or has a huge lawn and lives in Texas [re: I saved $1800 this year by not watering my lawn in the summer & it still turned green in October. I'll be doing the same again next year.]”
“I also live in Houston , a lot of our grass looks like this due to the massive heat wave/drought we have right now [re: What is going on here? (Houston, Tx area)]”
“16/4/8? [re: Zone 10a Texas. Looking to do a low water, high heat resistant grass or cover. Have looked at creeping thyme (I know it’s kind of a fad) but wanted to see what else would be possible]”
“I’m by no means a pro, but I’m a newish home owner who had a front yard that struggled with weeds and thinning due to southern heat. Keep up with watering and a good pre-emergent schedule until it’s time to seed. Spot-treat the weeds right before they go dormant, ideally with something that won’t harm the grass. Apply broadleaf post emergent when seasonally appropriate. Overseed: dethatch if needed, aerate, seed, fertilizer and water - all at the right time of the season, depending on the grass”
“I need to hear both sides realistically, and maybe some opinions from people who have lived through both. I live in North Texas, Dallas area. This year’s heat wave has been pretty bad. 100+ may/June till End of September And we can’t afford water bills that would actually keep up with watering every plant and the lawn as much as they actually need. And, somehow my native bushes still died from what looks like OVER watering. 😤 I want to know if cold climate landscape gardening is just the greene”
“Heat's still brutal in Houston even when the calendar says fall, that sun sounds relentless. I'd soak it deep twice a week but back off if we get a real cooldown or storm, the easy-pull grass might be grubs not just dry dirt”
“For real, who's here in DFW, TX not soaking around your house? 9 years in Carrollton, I just add soil to cover gap, not push it down. No issue as far. I heard story about where soaking around your house can also create problem with uneven moisture condition due to shade, tree...etc.”
“I recently bought a home in the Dallas area, and I'm not sure if what I'm seeing in my lawn is normal for this heat. The first picture shows the side of my house, and the second shows the fence line on that same side. The grass there is. I water 3–4 times a week with the sprinkler system. Is this just heat stress, or something I should treat? submitted by /u/juandiaz7744 [link] [comments]”
“https://preview.redd.it/rklj3dhep9rh1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=06c83fd470c604671097170f7e09c1400b9238a5”
“Water water water. "Agua es vida" says my gardener. I automatically water in the evening which they say not too but then it can soak in overnight and in front the lawn is fine. In the back, where I have to do it manually, less fine. When super hot, more critical, need more watering NOT in the daytime.”
“Fellow DFW/North Texans, first-time homeowner here! I’ve been in the house a little under a year and I’m looking for a plan of attack for my yard. Obviously, the heat and lack of rain (no measurable rainfall since July 15) have taken a toll, but during the cooler/rainier months the grass looked pretty decent. I think it’s primarily Bermuda with some zoysia, but I’m not totally sure. The yard gets a mix of full sun, partial sun, and some areas with almost total shade, and there are several bare s”
“What's the best way to close up this gap and prevent this pad from bowing in the hot Texas sun. Also, leaves, snakes, frogs and other undesirables will make a home here for sure. Thanks! submitted by /u/SnooRecipes1430 [link] [comments]”
“I live in Houston. My yard looks just like this, even worse with the heat and drought. But yes, water, water, water. Once this heat breaks a little with consistent watering will bring it back to life.”
“Folks it’s not as hard as it seems… Central Texas heat and little rain all summer. Hybrid Bermuda (yes neighbors and most new builds in Texas, you have the same grass I do) Just mow if low (scalp as low as you can in spring and again in June). Consistently mow, once every week, one notch above scalp. Water 2 times per week in the morning for 20 minutes per station (IDK how many inches-don’t let it flood over sidewalk and curb) , 3 times when it was above 100 everyday in August. Fertilizer. Just”
“(Non-native) grass is a waste of time, water, money, etc. Just start a large native plant area, things that have evolved to handle the heat and droughts of Texas.”
“SE Texas. I know I need to water it more but we’re in a drought and water costs went up to like $150-$200 a month if i water is constantly so i’m just relying on rainwater and sometimes watering it sorry. I want to know how to make it uniform submitted by /u/Funny-Reward-5680 [link] [comments]”
“Work keeps me outside all summer running service calls and I watch lawns die in real time across the whole county. Some look torched by July, some hold up fine through the same stretch of 95 degree days with no rain. I cannot always figure out what the difference is. My own lawn made it through a pretty brutal two week stretch last month without going fully dormant and I am trying to figure out how much of that was luck versus anything I actually did. I cut at 2.75, did not water during the heat”
“You can put out the same amount of water, just do it half as many days. The water will get down deeper where the plants can actually drink it up and it doesn’t get evaporated away by the heat at the top. This is why you always hear about the advantages of deep watering.”
“Its from the heat stress in the Hill Country areas of Texas. Water deeply once a week and if ATX rules allow run your cycle until you can get 1.5-2" in those areas.”
“Good evening fellow redditors. I need some help. I neglected watering my backyard for almost a week and I'm dealing with the consequences. The heat has been terrible here in West Texas, and I fear that only made it worse. I still have plenty of green growth along with the bare and brown. I would just like to hear about any steps I can take at this time of year to bring it back. Thank you everyone. submitted by /u/MrChiztastic [link] [comments]”
“If the borders of the turf are next to concrete--- curb, driveway--- that heat transfers to the soil and the soil never cools off through the night. Common here in Texas where I'm at. If you think compaction is an issue, top dress with sandy loam after the core aeration. If you don't want to go to the hassle and you're in a state where you can get it, HydraHume works really well as natural aeration product and we used it as a substitute treatment for core aerations at a company I use”
“can and should are two different things. water to 6" deep then water again when its dry 6" deep. I know you wont take my word for it but you can look up TAMU guide regarding Texas lawn watering.”
“So it’s a long process but, get some to poke holes/break up the soil. Throw some granulated pesticides, SOAK the dirt not water. Turn hose on and let the water hose sit there on a heavy trickle, if you spray water on the leaves during the heat you’ll fry it and if you water it at night you run the risk of getting a fungus. You want the roots to grow deeper away from the heat so they don’t die, the granules will get rid of any grubs that might be causing the brown gas. Poke holes and soak every d”
“We are on strict water restrictions in San Antonio. I can water with sprinkler on Monday 5-10 am or 9 pm-12 am. We can hand water any time or any day.”
“We are running out of shallow water in central and north texas. No one cares about your yard when people’s wells for shitting and showering are running dry”
“Use the neighbors hose, and put a sprinkler attachment on it. Let it run 1-2 hours every morning for the next week. It’ll look great!”
“don't worry, so long as the runners are green, it'll be back soon. Don't ever fertilize in July/August. Wait till lower/mid 90s. then again when lows hit 69/70 degrees in May.”
“I'm in south ATX and my yard is exactly the same way. Water company still has on on stage 2 drought restrictions. Can only water one day a week.”
“Been a pain in the a$$ but $185 water bill seems to work during 110 heat index submitted by /u/TheGr33ncarD92 [link] [comments]”
“Don’t try. In this heat you’ll go through so much water that the city will notice…or the bill will be brutal. It’ll recover when it starts raining again (if ever) and the temps come down.”
“The problem with a lot of other warm climate advice and also peppers in the summer is Texas lows at night are still high. Peppers stop setting fruit when night temps are above 75F or so, and a lot of warm climates get cooler night time lows giving plants a break to recover. Don't beat yourself up or anything cos it's really hard to wrap your head around all the peculiarities, and it's especially cruel when you're really new to gardening. Like, it's just tough, and it's re”
“Water your lawn deeply and less frequently in this hot Texas heat. Hold off on heavy fertilizer until temperatures cool down a little, and avoid mowing it too short to reduce extra stress on the grass.”
“In this heat you need to water 5-6 days a week. 20-30 min each zone. Also cut St Augustine as high as the mower will let it”
“Native Texas plants won't burn up like lawn grass and actually contribute to the ecosystem”
“Water for now. It’s too hot for anything else. It will help the house foundation also if watered on all sides. Google Randy’s Lawn Fertilization Schedule. He mostly recommends Nitrogen-Phos fertilizer products. It was formulated at Texas A&M University at College Station. It’s formulated for this area’s soil and weather conditions. Randy hosted Gardenline radio show for 25 years on KTRH 740AM on Saturday & Sunday until he suddenly passed a couple years ago. His friend and colleague Skip”
“Water LIGHT but often. Don't oversoak. Water in early morning (4-5 am) if you have sprinkler system when the water pressure is the best. Water bill not too bad and you don't get completely burned grass. It might get thirsty...but not burn and die. Some known places that get dried out quicker, so a little hand watering required. Also cut lawn a little higher than normal....it definitely helps insulate the grass roots.”