Surviving (and Thriving Through) a North Texas Summer
North Texas summers are brutal on lawns. With temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and extended drought conditions, keeping your lawn healthy requires strategy, not just effort. Here are five expert tips from the Go Green Electric team to help your lawn thrive through the heat.
1. Water Deep, Water Early
The single most important thing you can do for your summer lawn is water correctly. Most homeowners water too frequently and too shallowly, which encourages shallow root growth and makes grass more vulnerable to heat stress.
The right approach: - Water 2-3 times per week maximum (check your city's watering schedule — Rockwall, Rowlett, and most East Dallas suburb cities have specific watering days) - Water early in the morning, between 4:00 AM and 8:00 AM, to minimize evaporation - Apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week total - Water long enough for moisture to penetrate 6-8 inches into the soil
Pro tip: Place a tuna can on your lawn while watering. When it's full (about 1 inch), you've watered enough for that session.
2. Raise Your Mowing Height
During summer, raise your mowing height to the upper end of the recommended range for your grass type:
- Bermuda grass: 2 to 2.5 inches (up from the typical 1.5 inches)
- St. Augustine: 3.5 to 4 inches
- Zoysia: 2 to 2.5 inches
Taller grass shades the soil, reducing water evaporation and keeping root zones cooler. It also helps the grass develop deeper roots, making it more drought-resistant.
At Go Green Electric, we adjust our mowing heights seasonally as part of our maintenance plans. Our electric mowers provide precise height control that ensures consistent cutting across your entire lawn.
3. Don't Skip Fertilization — But Adjust It
Summer isn't the time for heavy nitrogen applications, which can burn stressed grass. Instead, focus on:
- Light, slow-release fertilizer applications in early June
- Iron supplements to maintain green color without pushing excessive growth
- Potassium applications to improve heat and drought tolerance
Avoid fertilizing during extreme heat waves (105°F+). Wait for a slightly cooler period or apply in the early morning when temperatures are lower.
4. Manage Weeds Proactively
Summer weeds like crabgrass, dallisgrass, and nutsedge thrive in North Texas heat. The best defense is a thick, healthy lawn that crowds them out, but targeted treatment is sometimes necessary.
- Pre-emergent herbicides applied in spring prevent most summer annual weeds
- Post-emergent spot treatments can address breakthrough weeds without stressing the entire lawn
- Hand-pulling is effective for isolated weed patches, especially in landscape beds
Our maintenance plans include proactive weed monitoring and treatment to keep your lawn weed-free throughout the summer.
5. Watch for Signs of Stress
Learn to recognize the early signs of heat and drought stress so you can respond before damage becomes severe:
- Footprinting: If your footprints remain visible after walking on the lawn, the grass is stressed and needs water
- Blue-gray color: Healthy Bermuda is bright green. A blue-gray tint indicates drought stress
- Wilting or curling blades: The grass is trying to conserve moisture
- Brown patches: Could indicate drought stress, fungal disease, or insect damage — each requires a different response
If you notice any of these signs, water immediately (even if it's not your scheduled watering day — most cities allow hand-watering at any time) and contact your lawn care professional for an assessment.
Let Go Green Electric Handle the Heat
Managing a North Texas lawn through summer is a full-time job. Our comprehensive maintenance plans take the guesswork out of summer lawn care — we handle the mowing, fertilization, weed control, and monitoring so you can enjoy your property without the stress.
Serving Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath, Sunnyvale, Forney, Garland, and Mesquite. Contact us today for a free consultation.
