Hot Tips for Cool Lawns: Summer Care in Texas!

by Brad Voss, M.S., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, County Extension Agent

Welcome to July! For those who believe 100 degrees beats 32, now is your time to shine! As we brace for the Texas summer heat, adjusting our lawn care approach is crucial. Spring, with its pleasant temperatures and ample rain, is behind us, waving goodbye as we start to feel the heat. Instead of pushing our lawns hard, it's time to settle into a slower summer maintenance routine.

So, how can we beat the heat and still maintain a beautiful lawn? Stick to the 1/3 Rule for mowing—only cut one-third of the grass blade per mowing session. As summer progresses, you'll likely find yourself needing to mow less frequently. Perhaps every other weekend instead of weekly? That's perfectly okay! Your lawn is naturally slowing down to conserve water and protect itself until conditions improve. Remember, lush green growth demands water, and we aim to conserve this precious resource.

Raise the cutting height on your mower to the upper end of the recommended range for your grass type. This encourages deeper root growth and provides shade to the soil surface, keeping soil temperatures lower and reducing water loss through evaporation. Keeping more water in the soil supports a stronger root system capable of withstanding summer conditions.

Continue recycling grass clippings back into the lawn—they act like mulch, conserving moisture and returning organic matter and nutrients to the soil. Regularly check and sharpen your mower blade to enhance drought tolerance by minimizing recovery time after mowing. Dull blades rip the grass blades, which take longer to heal; all the while, the grass is losing moisture.

Lastly, optimize your irrigation system by using the cycle and soak method. Deep, infrequent watering promotes robust root development, unlike frequent watering, which can lead to weak, shallow roots and poor drought tolerance. Aim for no more than 0.5 to 1 inch of water per week, applied twice or less weekly. Remember, deep roots are essential for drought resilience!

The Texas summer is harsh, but with a balanced approach to lawn care, including tough love when needed, we can prepare our lawns to thrive in the heat.