When To Fertilize Grass In Texas

Knowing when to fertilize grass in Texas is the single most important factor for a healthy, green lawn. Get the timing wrong, and you’re wasting effort and money, or even harming your turf. This guide cuts through the confusion with clear, season-by-season advice tailored to Texas’s unique climate and grass types.

Texas lawns face intense heat, drought, and unpredictable weather. Your fertilization schedule must adapt to these challenges. Whether you have Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Buffalo grass, the right fertilizer at the right time makes all the difference. Let’s break it down so you can build a simple, effective plan.

This core schedule is your starting point. It’s based on the growth cycles of warm-season grasses, which are dominant across the state. The goal is to feed your lawn when it’s actively growing and can use the nutrients most effectively.

Understanding Your Grass Type

First, identify your grass. This is crucial because different types have slightly different needs.

Bermuda Grass: Thrives in full sun, very drought-tolerant, and handles heavy foot traffic. It’s common statewide.
St. Augustine Grass: Prefers coastal and central regions, tolerates some shade, but needs more water. It has a coarse, wide blade.
Zoysia Grass: Slow-growing, forms a dense turf, and is excellent for heat and drought. It’s becoming more popular.
Buffalo Grass: A native grass that’s supremely drought-tolerant and requires very little fertilizer, ideal for low-maintenance lawns.

The Essential Spring Fertilization

Spring feeding wakes your lawn from winter dormancy and fuels strong initial growth. Timing is everything—too early and you feed weeds, too late and you miss the growth surge.

For most of Texas, the ideal window is late April to early May. Wait until soil temperatures consistently reach about 65°F. A good sign is when your lawn is about 50% green from its winter brown color.

Use a balanced, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (like a 20-5-10 NPK ratio).
Slow-release feeds the grass steadily over weeks, preventing a flush of weak growth.
Always water deeply after applying to move nutrients into the soil and prevent burning.

The Crucial Summer Feeding Schedule

Summer is peak growing season. Your grass is using up energy to handle the heat, so it needs consistent support. However, extreme stress requires careful management.

Apply fertilizer in early June and again in mid-July. Avoid fertilizing during periods of severe drought or heatwaves when the grass is struggling to survive. If you water restrictions are in place, skip summer feeding altogether.

Choose a fertilizer with some potassium (the third number, like 15-5-10). Potassium strengthens cell walls and improves heat/drought tolerance.
Mow regularly but never remove more than 1/3 of the blade height at once.
Water deeply and infrequently, aiming for about 1 inch per week, including rainfall.

Important Fall Fertilization

This is arguably the most important feeding of the year. Fall fertilization helps your lawn recover from summer stress and builds strong roots for the winter ahead. It promotes dense growth that crowds out winter weeds.

Target early to mid-September for your final high-nitrogen application. In warmer southern regions, you can push this into early October. The goal is to apply about 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost.

A lawn with strong roots in the fall will green up faster next spring.
Do not use a “weed and feed” product in the fall unless you have a specific, active weed problem.

The Winter Rule: Mostly Rest

Warm-season grasses go dormant (turn brown) after the first hard freeze. They are not actively growing and do not need nitrogen fertilizer.

However, a late-fall/winterizer fertilizer applied in late October to November can be beneficial. This product is low in nitrogen but high in potassium and phosphorus. It focuses solely on root and plant health, not top growth, providing resilience for the cold months.

Special Considerations for North Texas

North Texas experiences colder winters and a shorter growing season. Spring fertilization should wait until early to mid-May. Fall fertilization is critical and should be done by mid-September to prepare for earlier frosts.

Special Considerations for South Texas

South Texas has a very long growing season and mild winters. You may need an additional fertilizer application in early fall (September) and can sometimes fertilize as late as October. Watch your lawn’s growth, it may stay green year-round.

Step-by-Step Fertilizer Application

Test Your Soil: A soil test every few years tells you exactly what nutrients your lawn lacks. Contact your local county extension office for a kit.
Calculate Your Square Footage: Multiply your lawn’s length by its width. Apply fertilizer at the rate listed on the bag for your grass type.
Calibrate Your Spreader: Whether using a broadcast or drop spreader, set it according to the product instructions to avoid uneven application.
Apply on a Dry, Calm Day: Fertilize when the grass is dry but the soil is slightly moist. No rain forecast for 24-48 hours and little wind is ideal.
Water Thoroughly: After applying, water your lawn with about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water to wash the granules off the blades and into the soil.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-fertilizing: More is not better. It leads to thatch buildup, excessive growth, pollution from runoff, and can burn your lawn.
Using the Wrong Fertilizer: Avoid high-phosphorus fertilizers unless a soil test indicates a deficiency. Many Texas soils already have adequate phosphorus.
Ignoring Soil Health: Fertilizer feeds the grass, but healthy soil supports it. Consider core aeration once a year to relieve compaction.
Fertilizing a Dormant Lawn: Never apply nitrogen fertilizer in winter. The grass can’t use it, and it will likely runoff or feed weeds.

FAQ: Your Texas Lawn Fertilization Questions

When should I fertilize my lawn in Texas?

The best times are late spring (April/May), early summer (June), mid-summer (July), and early fall (September). A winterizer in late fall (Nov) is also recommended.

Can I fertilize my grass in February or March?

It’s generally too early. Fertilizing before the grass breaks dormancy feeds winter weeds and can cause tender new growth that’s suceptible to a late frost.

What is the best lawn fertilizer for Texas?

A balanced, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 20-5-10) is a great all-purpose choice for spring and summer. Always choose a formula for southern or warm-season grasses.

How often should you fertilize your lawn in Texas?

Most lawns do well with 3-4 feedings per year: one in spring, two in summer, and one in fall. Low-maintenance grasses like Buffalo grass may only need one feeding.

Is it too late to fertilize in October?

For a final nitrogen application, October is usually too late for North Texas but may be acceptable for South Texas. A winterizer fertilizer, however, is perfect for October/November application statewide.

Sticking to this seasonal guide takes the guesswork out of lawn care. Remember, a consistent schedule with the right products is far more effective than sporadic, heavy feeding. Pay attention to your specific grass type and local weather patterns each year, as they can shift timing by a week or two. With proper timing, your Texas lawn can be a lush, resilient source of pride despite the challenging climate.