Summer Lawn Tips That Save Water
Summer in Central Texas means high temperatures, dry spells, and thirsty lawns. But keeping your yard healthy doesn’t have to mean high water bills or wasteful watering habits. With a few smart adjustments, you can grow a beautiful lawn that is both summer-ready and water-wise.
When it’s hot outside, it’s tempting to water more often. That can do more harm than good. Instead, try the "cycle and soak" method. Watering in short intervals allows water to soak into the soil rather than running off. For this region, turf grass generally only needs about one inch of water per week, either from rain, irrigation, or both. Make sure that you always water your lawn early in the morning. This reduces evaporation and gives your lawn time to dry during the day, which can help to prevent fungal issues.
Keeping your grass a little taller during the summer can help with soil and lawn health. The taller grass shades the soil, retains moisture, and grows stronger grass roots. For St. Augustine grass, stick to 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Bermuda grass does well at 1 to 1.5 inches. Remember to follow the one-third rule! Never ever ever remove more than one third of above-ground growth at a time. Why? Because a scalped turfgrass is a stressed turfgrass which then requires even more water to be healthy.
Skip the guesswork with fertilizers and test your soil instead. A soil test will tell you what nutrients your lawn really needs, so you can avoid over-fertilizing and prevent runoff into local waterways. Bonus: you’ll save money and help the environment.
Want to learn more? We’re hosting a Healthy Lawns Workshop in collaboration with the Lee County AgriLife Extension Office on June 17th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The workshop will take place at our office, 317 E Hempstead St., Giddings, TX. Come learn about smart watering, sustainable lawn care practices, and practical tips that can save you water, time, and money all summer long. To register please call (512) 360-5088 by Friday, June 13th, 5:00 PM.
Let’s grow a lawn that you can be proud of, without wasting a drop!