Navigating Winter Lawn Care in Houston: Tips and Advice from the Houston Grass Podcast
Good morning, everyone. I’m Michael Romine, and welcome to the Houston Grass Podcast. We’re just a day before Christmas Eve, yet you wouldn’t know it from the weather. It’s probably in the high 60s, and we’re expecting mid-70s for highs in the foreseeable future. The 10-day forecast doesn’t show any 60-degree highs.
We have a little rain predicted, and I’m observing the trees losing their leaves. It seems everything’s a bit confused, as is typical in Texas this time of year, especially along the Gulf Coast. The weather here is like a roller coaster ride. We’re approaching 2025 in a week or so, and although not many are discussing grass at this time of year, we aim to keep you informed monthly. We want to share some winter lawn care tips on what you should or shouldn’t be doing during this season.
We’ll talk about watering and soil moisture—key concerns this time of year—and touch on weed control. With the current weather confusion, you might encounter a bit of everything. I’ve noticed some frosts around the office, affecting weeds that are susceptible to cold; they’re curling up and dying. Frosts help clean things up.
Regarding temperatures, it’s late December now. January and February are typically the coldest months here in the Houston area along the Gulf Coast. We never know if we’ll experience multi-day freezes or just a couple of hard freezes dipping into the high 20s for a few hours. Warmer winters are also possible. Regardless, the grass is going dormant due to cooler nights, even if it appears a bit green.
You shouldn’t attempt to green up your grass now. Mowing every other week suffices as growth has slowed significantly. You’ll mainly be trimming unsightly weeds.
Monitor soil moisture using the screwdriver test—if it goes in easily and comes out with some mud, moisture is adequate. My irrigation systems at home and at the office have been off for a month. A little drought stress in late fall or early winter won’t hurt anything.
In spring, summer, and early fall, grass needs one inch of water per week to thrive. Now, it only requires one inch every two weeks. The screwdriver test can confirm this. If it comes out clean or is hard to insert, it’s time to water. Natural rainfall might not suffice, so run your irrigation system in cycles.
Watering in the morning is optimal; avoid watering too early or too late to prevent brown patches or excessive evaporation. My system starts at around 5 or 6 a.m., taking two to three hours to finish.
Don’t neglect your yard’s landscaping this time of year. If a hard freeze occurs, it’s beneficial to water your plants deeply beforehand to retain heat and protect roots. Grass needs similar infrequent but deep watering.
If rainfall stops completely, manually run your irrigation system every other week, ensuring you apply at least half an inch of water each time over two days. Generally, winter rains provide enough moisture, so most irrigation systems can remain off.
Although less crucial than in spring and summer, don’t forget about your yard’s landscaping and grass this time of year. Browning grass is normal after a freeze; expect it to turn brown with a few frosts. Some weeds might survive, but it’s part of the process.
In late January or February, it will be time for another application of Barricade Pre-Emergent from Nitro-Phos to prevent spring weeds from germinating. We’ll discuss this in more detail in our January episode.
Currently, there’s no need to apply chemicals unless combating a significant brown patch outbreak; in that case, use Heritage G granular fungicide.
Mowing helps with leaf removal. Don’t let leaves accumulate too thickly on your lawn. Mulching leaves is fine, but remove excess leaves to prevent them from sitting on the grass.
Be vigilant about weather changes; ensure deep watering if necessary, anticipating potential freezes. There’s no freeze forecast currently; we’re expecting 30-50% chance of rain over the next week.
Preparing for spring can involve ensuring mower blades are sharp for clean cuts that reduce disease risk and enhance grass health and appearance.
Consider planning grass projects for your yard. Winter is an ideal time for planting grass in Houston; it won’t die from cold here.
Lay dormant or partially dormant grass now to cover dirt and prevent weed germination until it starts growing in spring.
Ensure proper watering when laying new grass to eliminate air pockets and secure it to the ground.
Most landscapers are not as busy now as they will be starting in late February. Consider using this slow landscaping period hire tree trimmers to trim trees for more sunlight on your lawn.
Let’s address some winter lawn care questions we’ve received:
- How often should I water my St. Augustine in January if there’s no rain? Aim for an inch of water every other week. Without an irrigation system, run sprinklers for 3-4 hours per spot; use a rain gauge or tuna can to measure water received.
- Is it too late to apply pre-emergent if weeds are growing? It depends on the weed type. Pre-emergent should have been applied in October or early November; the next application is late January or early February. For now, manual removal after rain is effective.
- Should I scalp my lawn in winter? No, keep mowing height up to protect roots from freezes; scalp only in early spring to remove dead material before growth resumes.
That’s all for now. We’ll be taking a break between Christmas and New Year’s but will return right after to answer your winter lawn care questions and supply grass.
Visit our website at Houston Turfgrass or call us at 281-431-7441. We’re located south of Houston on Highway 6 and FM 521 near Missouri City.
Have a great holiday season and a happy New Year! Thank you for listening.
