Chisos Basin 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 |
| April | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| May | 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 | Last nitrogen of the year |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
Reading the Chisos Basin lawn year
Chisos Basin's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Mar 10, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 19. 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 Chisos Basin
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Chisos Basin?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 24 – Apr 7 in Chisos Basin, 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 Chisos Basin?
Aim for Feb 17 – Mar 10 — the estimated stretch when Chisos Basin soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Mar 10). 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 Chisos Basin?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Chisos Basin that's typically until Nov 5 – Nov 26, around the average first fall frost (Nov 19). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Chisos Basin?
Texas is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.