Here are some year round tips to maintain your lawn by mowing, fertilizing and keeping weeds out of your Texas Turfgrass.

Mowing & Fertilizing Texas Turfgrass

When do I need to fertilize my grass?

Warm season grasses (Bermuda & St. Augustin) can be fertilized 2-4 weeks after the last freeze in your area. Generally:

• Warm Season Grasses – South Texas
• March 1st, May 1st, July 1st, September 1st
• Warm Season Grasses – North Texas
• April 1st, June 1st, August 1st, October 1st

How often should I fertilize my grass?

Every 6-8 weeks depending on the type of fertilizer you use.

• H-E-B Texas Backyard Organic All Purpose Fertilizer: Every 6 weeks. It's safe on all types of grass, trees & shrubs. Have no worries when you're using this item!
• Scott's Southern Turf Builder: Every 8 weeks. It's safe on all types of grass.
• Scott's Bonus S: Every 8 weeks. It's safe on St. Augustine & Zoysia grass (Not for Bermuda) and keep it away from your shrubs and out from under your trees. It does have a broadleaf weed killer that'll injure plants, trees & shrubs.

How high/low should I cut my grass?

It depends on the type of grass you have. Our recommendation is:

• Common Bermuda: 3/4 to 1 1/4"
• St. Augustine: 2 to 3"
• Zoysia: 1 to 1 1/2"
• Fescue (Winter Grass for Tx): 2 to 2 1/2"

How often should I mow?

Often enough that when mowing you're not removing more than 1/3 – 1/2 of the grass blades with the cut. Letting your grass get too long will result in thin weak grass that tends to have more weed problems. Not to mention when you do mow grass that's too tall it'll result in a yellow lawn.

Should I use a mulching mower or bag my clippings?

Use a mulching mower for grass and on fallen leaves! It keeps them out of your garbage and 1/3 of all the nutrients your grass needs can come from these same clippings. If you do collect your clippings or leaves, be sure to compost them. Don't waste them!

Weeds in your Texas Turfgrass

Having healthy well maintained turfgrass is the best way to reduce/eliminate weeds in your lawn. Regular mowing and fertilizing with a high quality All Purpose fertilizer is ideal. However, even the best of yards will get weeds from time to time. Here are some tips for what to do once it happens.

Identify the type of weeds you have

Grassy Weed – These are the most common weeds specifically in the grass family:

• Dallisgrass
• Grassburs
• Johnsongrass
• Poa annua
• Crabgrass

Broadleaf Weed – This category includes all other non-grassy weeds and the varieties you're probably more familiar with:

• Dandelions
• Clover
• Henbit
• Chickweed
• Spurge
• Poison Ivy
• Poison Oak

Why does it matter?

The two types have different types of root systems and require a different weed killer. Be sure to know what you're trying to control before heading to your H-E-B Texas Backyard.

What's the difference between post-emergent and pre-emergent weed control?

Post-emergents are applied after the weed has germinated and you now have an actual weed. It's best applied when the daytime temps are at least 70 degrees.

Pre-emergents are applied prior to a weed problem and prevent weeds from ever germinating and becoming an actual problem.

When do I need to apply pre-emergents?

For grassy weeds: 2x a year

• Late winter
• Late spring/early summer
• Bonus: A very early fall application will help prevent cool-season grassy weeds

For cool season/winter weeds:

• South Texas – Early September
• North Texas – Mid September

For spring/summer weeds:

• South Texas – Early March
• North Texas – Mid March

For really tough grassy weeds and sandburs:

• South & North Texas – Late May