Knowing when to fertilize your lawn in East Texas makes all the difference in keeping it lush and healthy. From mid-April to May and again in September to mid-October, you’ll have the ideal windows for applying fertilizer.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the timing to fertilize your lawn if you live east of Interstate 45. However, if you want to know the right timing for the entire Lone Star State, check out our article: “When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Texas.”
Best time to fertilize your lawn in East Texas
The best grasses for your lawn in East Texas are warm-season varieties that can thrive under the region’s high annual rainfall. Because of this, the best time to fertilize is in the spring when these grasses are actively growing. Fall is the second-best time to fertilize, helping prepare your lawn for cooler weather.
In some cases, a summer fertilizer application might also be beneficial. Let’s take a closer look at when to fertilize in each season:
Spring fertilization
In spring, you can begin fertilizing your lawn once the grass starts actively growing. To ensure that’s happening, make your first application after you’ve mowed two to three times. This usually occurs about six weeks after the last spring frost, which varies slightly depending on where in East Texas you are:
- Upper East Texas: Fertilize on May 1 in cities like Tyler and Longview, since the last frost is around March 16. Wait a couple more weeks if you live further north, like in Texarkana (fertilize around May 5) or Clarksville (fertilize around May 12).
- Deep East Texas: Also fertilize around May 1 in cities like Lufkin and Nacogdoches, as the last spring frost is mid to late March.
- Southeast Texas: Fertilize around April 9 in Beaumont and Port Arthur, where the last spring frost typically occurs on February 27. That happens around February 14 in Houston, so prepare to fertilize around April 1 if you live in H-Town.
Note: Spring is also a key time for other lawn care chores, such as aeration, dethatching, and planting grass seeds. Take a look at these articles for more information:
- The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Texas
Summer fertilization
A summer fertilizer application can be a good idea if your lawn needs some extra care. Consider fertilizing in summer if:
- You haven’t been caring for your lawn consistently and missed the spring fertilization;
- Your lawn is newly established; or
- You have a St. Augustine lawn that needs a color boost.
If you decide to fertilize in the summer, apply a fertilizer about 45 to 60 days after the spring application.
Pro Tip: Be sure to use slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to avoid causing a sudden growth spurt that could stress your lawn. For more specific recommendations, check out our article: “The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Texas.”
Fall fertilization
In fall, the most important factor in timing your fertilizer application is ensuring your grass can absorb the nutrients before the first frost. To achieve this, it’s recommended to apply fertilizer up to six weeks before the frost. The exact timing varies depending on where you live in East Texas:
- Upper East Texas: For cities like Tyler and Longview, fertilize until October 1, as the first frost usually occurs around November 16. In northern cities like Clarksville and Texarkana, aim to fertilize a week earlier than that.
- Deep East Texas: In cities like Lufkin, fertilize until around October 1.
- Southeast Texas: Near the Gulf Coast, in cities like Houston, Beaumont, and Port Arthur, you’ll have more time to fertilize — until October 15, as the last frost happens around December 1.
Note: Fertilizing in fall will improve your lawn’s color and help it bounce back faster come spring, but it will also help prevent winter weeds. You can check out our article — “The Most Common Weeds in East Texas” — for tips on how to identify and get rid of them.
Other helpful Texas resources
To help you keep your grass healthy year-round, here are some grass guides with maintenance calendars tailored to Texas lawns:
- Bermudagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
- Zoysiagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
- St. Augustinegrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
When to call a pro
From the Piney Woods to the Gulf Coast, keeping your lawn vibrant and healthy in East Texas is all about timing and care. Now that you know the best times to fertilize, your lawn is one step closer to thriving year-round.
But if the details feel overwhelming or you’d rather leave it to the pros, don’t hesitate to call a local lawn care expert to handle it for you. We have pros in Tyler, Houston, and other East Texas cities.
Main Image Credit: Shutterstock
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