Ask the Experts
5 Summer Lawn Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid in Dallas
Maintaining a healthy lawn during the scorching Dallas summers can be challenging. The extreme heat, watering restrictions, and increased pest activity create hurdles for homeowners. Avoiding common Dallas lawn maintenance mistakes is crucial to keeping your grass green and thriving.
In this article, Southern Botanical experts Kassidy Mitchell, Senior Account Manager, and Osbaldo Soto, Associate Account Manager at Southern Botanical, provide summer lawn care tips for Dallas homeowners. From lawn watering tips in Dallas to proper mowing techniques, here’s how to keep your landscape in peak condition during the hottest months.
Mistake 1: Overwatering or Underwatering
Finding the right balance between too much and too little water is key. Overwatering can lead to a weak root system, making the lawn more vulnerable to drought stress. Underwatering, however, can cause brown patches and dead spots.
“Yes, you can overwater in the summer!” says Kassidy Mitchell. “It’s important to check soil moisture weekly using a soil probe. If the soil crumbles like sand, it’s too dry, but if it forms a tight ball, it’s oversaturated. The ideal moisture level allows it to be shaped but breaks apart easily.”
Lawn watering tips for Dallas homeowners:
- Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation.
- Use sprinkler systems efficiently, ensuring even coverage.
- Check for signs of overwatering, such as yellowing turf and a spongy feel.
How to Find the Right Watering Balance
One way to improve watering efficiency is by using a cycle-and-soak method. “Rather than running a spray zone for 20 minutes straight, split it into two 10-minute cycles,” advises Mitchell. “This allows the water to soak in properly rather than running off.”
Another effective tool is Hydretain, a soil moisture manager that helps retain moisture in the root zone. “It attracts moisture vapor in the soil, making it available for plants,” says Mitchell. Hydretain is most effective if applied when there is already adequate soil moisture available. Otherwise, more applications will be needed, which can become costly.
Mistake 2: Mowing Too Short
Many homeowners cut their grass too short, thinking it reduces mowing frequency. However, cutting too low stresses the lawn, weakens the root system, and increases drought stress.
“Vary your mowing patterns to prevent wheel marks and keep the grass at a height of 3 to 4 inches,” says Osbaldo Soto. “Never cut more than one-third of the grass blades at a time to avoid stressing the turf. Grass in shaded areas may require different care than turf exposed to full sun.”
Mowing services in Dallas should follow these best practices:
- Keep warm-season grasses at the proper height.
- Ensure mower blades are sharp to avoid tearing the grass.
- Leave clippings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Heat Stress
Heat stress on lawns in Dallas can cause severe damage, especially when combined with improper watering and mowing habits.
“Early signs of heat stress look like slight browning in certain areas, known as ‘hot spots,’” says Mitchell. “These spots often appear in full-sun areas and can be remedied by adjusting irrigation system run times or modifying coverage.”
To protect against summer heat:
- Increase watering during heatwaves but avoid overwatering.
- Maintain taller grass to shade the soil and retain moisture.
- Check irrigation systems to ensure proper coverage.
Regular monitoring of soil moisture and adjusting watering schedules based on weather conditions can help prevent heat stress. Another preventative action is to assess your irrigation system before the summer season. During this assessment, Mitchell recommends that you “ensure irrigation heads are at least 6 inches above ground for full coverage.”
Mistake 4: Over-Fertilizing
“One of the most common mistakes I see is homeowners applying fertilizer incorrectly, which can lead to burnt patches,” says Soto. High-nitrogen fertilizers, in particular, promote excessive growth, making grass more vulnerable to pests and disease.
Granular fertilizers need to be watered in immediately; if left on the turf, they can cause brown spots. In summer, liquid fertilizer is often a better choice since it eliminates the risk of missed watering.
Best fertilization practices for residential lawn care in summer:
- Use slow-release fertilizers to prevent excessive growth.
- Apply fertilizer in the early morning to minimize evaporation.
- Consult a lawn care professional for customized treatments.
Mistake 5: Neglecting Pest Control
Summer is peak season for pests like chinch bugs, grubs, and armyworms. Left unchecked, they can destroy entire sections of a lawn. Effective pest prevention for Dallas lawns requires consistent monitoring and proactive treatments.
“A single application won’t solve the problem,” Soto explains. “Even something as simple as a mail carrier walking across your lawn can introduce pests or diseases from a neighboring property, potentially affecting the entire neighborhood.
Soto adds that “by following a preventive maintenance plan throughout the year, you can establish a protective barrier that keeps your lawn healthy and resilient.” Hiring a landscaping company with an agronomist on staff is key to pest prevention and treatment.
Keep Your Lawn Thriving
Avoiding these common Dallas lawn maintenance mistakes will keep your lawn resilient to the Texas heat. Proper watering, mowing, fertilization, and pest prevention are all crucial to maintaining a green lawn despite the Texas heat.
For expert residential landscape maintenance in Dallas, Southern Botanical provides professional lawn care services and customized treatment plans. Let Southern Botanical handle the hard work—contact us today for expert lawn care that keeps your landscape vibrant all summer. these common Dallas lawn maintenance mistakes will keep your lawn resilient to the Texas heat. Proper watering, mowing, fertilization, and pest prevention are all crucial to maintaining a green lawn despite the Texas heat.
For expert residential landscape maintenance in Dallas, Southern Botanical provides professional lawn care services and customized treatment plans. Let Southern Botanical handle the hard work—contact us today for expert lawn care that keeps your landscape vibrant all summer.
