How Does Winter Lawn Care Work in Texas?

For people in northern states, winter might be the time when they simply forget there’s a lawn underneath that thick layer of snow. Here in Texas, however, where the temperatures cool but we don’t get as much snow, you may wonder how much work you need to put into your lawn during winter. While it’s true that you don’t need to devote every waking moment of winter to your grass, you’ll still want to give it some attention to ensure it’s healthy and green by spring.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled some of the best advice about winter lawn care in Texas below so that you can get your lawn fully prepped for winter and (hopefully) get back to all the activities, festivities, and fun that this season has to offer.

Our Best Texas’ Winter Lawn Care Tips

Water Your Lawn Regularly

Wondering if you should continue to water your yard in winter in Texas? You might be surprised to learn that you should—especially if natural precipitation is lacking. Here’s why: In contrast to what most believe, water acts as an insulator against freezing, while dehydrated grass is more likely to freeze and become damaged by frost. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the forecast and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Your grass will typically need about half the amount of water during winter than it needs during summer. Moreover, grass experts agree that watering first thing in the morning is best because there is less evaporation, and the water has a better chance of drying before nighttime, reducing instances of lawn disease. However, during bouts of colder weather, watering when ambient temperatures are above 40°F is best. Just try to time it so that it can dry out as much as possible before nightfall! It is never advised to water your lawn when the ground is frozen. Be sure to utilize a soil map when scheduling your irrigation.

Pro tip: If you’re unsure if your grass needs water, consider if it looks dry, wilted, or if you leave footprints when you walk across it. If it does, it likely needs water asap.

Remove Your Leaves

Have you ever noticed some neighbors bagging leaves or throwing them into a compost heap? This is because when leaves fall on your lawn, they block out the sun, which can kill your grass. If your yard is covered in dead leaves, it’s best to remove as many of them as you can so that you don’t wake up to a brown lawn come spring. That said, if your yard only has a few leaves, there’s no need to pick up every single one, as a few leaves here and there won’t cause a problem. In fact, some leaves will feed the grass and soil as they breakdown.

Keep On Mowing

Even though it may seem counterintuitive to mow your lawn during the winter, it’s actually a great way to keep your grass healthy. That’s because mowing your lawn can help it stay aerated, which will allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots and keep them strong. In fact, if you want to have a healthy and lush lawn come springtime, you should avoid leaving your grass long during the winter months. Just lower your mower blade so that your grass stays nice and short.

Interesting fact: Long grasses can form a kind of roof-like structure, creating a warm and cozy environment for snow mold and other winter lawn fungi. To prevent this, mow your lawn before the winter season arrives and up to 2-3 times before the first frost.

Lay Down Sod—Even In Winter!

Unbeknownst to some, you actually can lay sod grass in the winter! While the ideal time of year for sodding is between early spring and early fall, sod grass can be safely installed and take root, albeit slowly, even in winter. As long as there isn’t a big freeze during the first two weeks following your sod grass installation, you should be good as gold. And if you follow our tips for preventing frost and freeze damage in the meantime, your sod will flourish in the spring.

Protect Your Lawn Every Season!

At The Grass Outlet, customer service is always our #1 priority. That’s why we provide expert tips for keeping your lawn healthy for every season! If you have questions about how to keep your lawn lush and wholesome at any time of year, check out our lawn care blog today. We have articles covering everything from new sod care to fertilizing lawn tips and gardening best practices.

Can’t find the answer to your question? No problem! Feel free to give us a call for an expert recommendation—one of our friendly team members would be happy to assist!