Childress 2 lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| February | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| March | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| April | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up |
| May | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| 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 | Last nitrogen of the year |
| October | Growth stops — final mow |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
Reading the Childress 2 lawn year
Childress 2's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Apr 3, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 5. 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 Childress 2
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Childress 2?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Apr 17 – May 1 in Childress 2, 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 Childress 2?
Aim for Mar 13 – Apr 3 — the estimated stretch when Childress 2 soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Apr 3). 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 Childress 2?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Childress 2 that's typically until Oct 22 – Nov 12, around the average first fall frost (Nov 5). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Childress 2?
Texas is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.