Every spring checklist on the internet is written for a zone-6 suburb in Ohio. This one is for East Texas. Different soil, different grass, different timeline.
Early March: inspection, not action
- Walk the lot. Flag any drainage problems, bare spots, fire-ant mounds.
- Check the mower. Sharpen blades — dull blades shred grass tips and brown them.
- Do NOT fertilize yet. Soil temp at 4 inches needs to hold 60°F for a week. In Henderson County, that is mid-March most years, late March in a cold one.
Late March: first mow and pre-emergent
- First mow at 3.5 inches. Resist the urge to scalp — short cuts stress dormant Bermuda.
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide before soil hits 65°F. Miss this window and crabgrass wins.
- Clean out garden beds. Pull winter weeds before they seed.
April: fertilize and establish the rhythm
- First fertilizer application — slow-release nitrogen (like 15-0-15) on Bermuda.
- Start your weekly mow schedule. In East Texas, the grass does not wait for you.
- Fire ant treatment if mounds are active. Bait first, mound-treat after 48 hours.
- Pressure wash the driveway and porch before pollen season peaks (it will peak).
May: water management
- Adjust irrigation to 1 inch per week including rainfall. Most Henderson County lawns get overwatered in May.
- Raise mow height to 4 inches as temps climb past 90°F. Taller grass shades roots and holds moisture.
- Second fertilizer application if you skipped a slow-release in April.
- Mulch beds to 2–3 inches. Suppresses weeds, holds moisture, and looks finished.
If you want the yard handled and the checklist is more than you signed up for, that is exactly what our plans are for.