Austin San Antonio lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| March | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| April | First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| May | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| June | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| July | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| August | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| September | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| October | Last nitrogen of the year |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Austin San Antonio lawn year
Austin San Antonio's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Mar 1, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 26. The two dates to respect most are the pre-emergent deadline in late winter — southern soil warms early — and the last-nitrogen cutoff 6–8 weeks before frost, which protects the lawn from winter injury.
Grasses that fit Austin San Antonio
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Austin San Antonio?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 15 – Mar 29 in Austin San Antonio, once soil has warmed well past the last frost. That gives new grass a full growing season to mature before its first winter dormancy.
When do I put down crabgrass preventer in Austin San Antonio?
Aim for Feb 8 – Mar 1 — the estimated stretch when Austin San Antonio soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Mar 1). It's an estimate: a soil thermometer reading 50–55°F at 2″ depth for several days is the precise trigger, and pre-emergent must go down before crabgrass sprouts, not after.
When should I stop mowing in Austin San Antonio?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Austin San Antonio that's typically until Nov 12 – Dec 3, around the average first fall frost (Nov 26). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Austin San Antonio?
Texas is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.