Lytle 3W lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| March | 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 Lytle 3W lawn year
Lytle 3W's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Feb 24, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Dec 2. 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 Lytle 3W
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Lytle 3W?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 10 – Mar 24 in Lytle 3W, 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 Lytle 3W?
Aim for Feb 3 – Feb 24 — the estimated stretch when Lytle 3W soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Feb 24). 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 Lytle 3W?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Lytle 3W that's typically until Nov 18 – Dec 9, around the average first fall frost (Dec 2). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Lytle 3W?
Texas is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.