Houston Summer Lawn Survival

Surviving the Houston Summer: Expert Lawn Care Tips from the Houston Grass Podcast

Summer in Houston is no joke. With soaring temperatures, relentless humidity, and unpredictable rainfall, keeping your lawn healthy can feel like a full-time job. In the latest episode of the Houston Grass Podcast, Michael Romine shares his decades of experience and practical advice for homeowners facing the unique challenges of summer lawn care in Southeast Texas. Whether you’re planting new grass or maintaining an established yard, this guide will help you navigate the season with confidence.

Table of Contents

Table Of Contents

Surviving the Houston Summer: Expert Lawn Care Tips from the Houston Grass Podcast

Introduction: The Houston Summer Challenge

As Michael Romine opens the podcast, he sets the scene: late June in Houston, with thickening clouds, high humidity, and the ever-present threat of heatwaves. While recent rains have kept drought at bay for now, the dry spell is always just around the corner. For Houston homeowners, this means staying vigilant against the two biggest summer threats to your lawn: gray leaf spot and chinch bugs.

Gray Leaf Spot: The Silent Houston Summer Threat

Gray leaf spot is a fungal disease that thrives in the hot, humid conditions typical of Houston summers. It’s especially common in shady areas, but can appear anywhere if the weather is right.

Identifying Gray Leaf Spot

The first sign of gray leaf spot is small brown dots on individual blades of grass. These spots may be no bigger than the tip of a pen, but they quickly spread, turning entire leaves brown and eventually killing patches of grass if left untreated. In sunny areas, the disease sometimes resolves on its own as the sun dries out the fungus, but in the shade, it can persist and spread rapidly.

Treating and Preventing Gray Leaf Spot

Michael recommends treating affected areas with a granular fungicide like Heritage G, especially if you’re planting Palmetto or other shade-tolerant varieties. At the farm, all grasses are treated with fungicide every 30 days, but it’s impossible to know exactly where your new grass is in that cycle when you buy it. For best results, treat new plantings immediately and again three weeks later.

Pro Tip: Overwatering is a major contributor to gray leaf spot, particularly in shady areas. Be mindful of your watering schedule and adjust as needed to avoid creating the damp conditions that fungus loves.

Chinch Bugs: Tiny Pests, Big Problems

When the weather turns hot and dry, chinch bugs become a major concern for Houston lawns. These tiny insects feed on drought-stressed grass, causing rapid and sometimes irreversible damage.

How to Spot Chinch Bug Damage

Chinch bug damage often appears as “hotspots” in your yard—patches of grass that look grayish, curled, and thirsty. If you see these symptoms, get down on your hands and knees and part the grass. If chinch bugs are present, you’ll see small, gnat-like insects crawling around. Adult chinch bugs have a distinctive white “X” on their backs.

DIY Detection: Try the coffee can trick—cut out both ends of a can, press it into the soil, fill with soapy water, and watch for chinch bugs floating to the surface.

Effective Chinch Bug Treatments

Michael strongly recommends using a liquid pesticide, such as Cyonara, which attaches to the end of a hose for easy application. Liquid treatments work faster and more effectively than granular options, which require watering in and may not reach the bugs in time. Be prepared to treat more than once, as chinch bugs can be persistent.

Sod Webworms: The Nighttime Nuisance

While not as common every year, sod webworms can devastate a lawn seemingly overnight. These pests are most active at night, and their presence is often signaled by jagged patches of grass and small brown moths flying up as you walk through your yard. The larvae feed on grass blades, leaving behind unsightly damage.

Treatment: As with chinch bugs, a liquid pesticide is usually effective. Pay special attention to shady areas, where damage can be more severe.

Planting Grass in the Summer: Is It Worth It?

Many homeowners wonder if it’s wise to plant new grass during the hottest months. Michael’s answer: while summer is not ideal, sometimes you can’t wait—whether you’ve just installed a pool, built a new house, or need to fix a bare spot.

Best Practices for Summer Installs

Don’t wait for fall: Bare spots invite weeds and other problems.
Year-round service: Houston Grass sells and installs grass year-round, only closing for Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks.
Quality matters: Their grass comes loaded with fertilizer from the farm, so you don’t need to fertilize immediately after installation.

Watering New Grass: How Much Is Enough?

Day 1: Water immediately after installation—don’t wait until evening or the next morning.
Amount: Apply two inches of water on the first day to ensure good soil contact and eliminate air pockets.
First two weeks: Water one inch per day. In the summer, don’t back off after the first week—keep up the daily watering for two full weeks.
Shade caution: In shady areas, be careful not to overwater, as this can encourage gray leaf spot. Begin to reduce watering in the second week.

Caring for Established Lawns in the Heat

Once your grass is established, summer care is all about smart watering, proper fertilization, and good mowing habits.

Watering Strategies for Drought and Heat

Deep and infrequent: Water deeply but less often to encourage roots to grow downward, making your lawn more drought-tolerant.
Weekly goal: Aim for one inch of water per week, split into two half-inch waterings.
Extreme heat: If there’s no rain for several weeks, you may need to water three times a week.
Check your soil: Use rain gauges or the screwdriver test—if the screwdriver goes in easily and comes out muddy, you’re good. If not, it’s time to water.

Warning: In summer, drought stress can quickly lead to chinch bug infestations, which can destroy your lawn overnight.

Fertilizing and Weed Control

Fertilizer: Use a slow-release product like Super Turf (19-4-10) with coated nitrogen to prevent burning.
Timing: Late May or June is ideal, but you can apply later in the summer if needed.
Water it in: Always water fertilizer in thoroughly within 24 hours to avoid burning your grass.

Mowing Tips for a Healthy Lawn

Frequency: Never cut more than one-third of the blade at a time. In summer, you may need to mow every five days.
After mowing: Water your lawn after mowing to reduce stress.
Sharp blades: Dull mower blades tear grass, leaving jagged, tan tips that are more susceptible to disease. Keep your blades sharp for a clean cut.

Why Choose Houston Grass?

Houston Grass is a family business with over 21 years of experience. Their grass comes from their family farm in Bay City that’s been perfecting the art of turfgrass for decades. They invest more in fertilizer, fungicides, and herbicides than competitors, resulting in thicker, greener, and healthier grass. Customer reviews speak for themselves—quality and service are the top priorities.

Conclusion: Your Summer Lawn Survival Guide

The Houston summer is tough on lawns, but with the right knowledge and a little extra effort, you can keep your yard looking its best. Stay vigilant for gray leaf spot and chinch bugs, water wisely, fertilize carefully, and mow with care. If you have questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to Houston Grass—send pictures or give them a call 281-431-7441 for expert help.

Ready to take your lawn to the next level? Listen to the full podcast episode for even more tips, and stay tuned for the next update at the end of July!