{"id":32286,"date":"2024-10-05T20:36:24","date_gmt":"2024-10-05T20:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=32286"},"modified":"2025-05-05T02:09:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T02:09:27","slug":"when-to-fertilize-lawn-west-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-west-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Fertilize Your Lawn in West Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In West Texas, where the climate can be harsh and dry, timing your lawn fertilization is crucial. The<strong> best times to fertilize are in May and September<\/strong>, though an additional summer application may be necessary depending on your lawn\u2019s needs.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article will guide you through the ideal fertilization schedule for West Texas so it can stay healthy and green whether you&#8217;re in El Paso or Odessa. However, if you\u2019re looking for tips for the whole state, check out our guide: \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-texas\/\">When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Texas<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-3a6a1a98-8cf5-4412-9550-3d2f3d6893c1\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">Table of Contents<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-west-texas\/#0-best-time-to-fertilize-your-lawn-in-west-texas\" style=\"\">Best time to fertilize your lawn in West Texas<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-west-texas\/#1-spring-fertilization\" style=\"\">Spring fertilization<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-west-texas\/#2-summer-fertilization\" style=\"\">Summer fertilization<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-west-texas\/#3-fall-fertilization\" style=\"\">Fall fertilization<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-fertilize-lawn-west-texas\/#4-more-texas-resources\" style=\"\">More Texas resources<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-best-time-to-fertilize-your-lawn-in-west-texas\"><span id=\"best-time-to-fertilize-your-lawn-in-west-texas\">Best time to fertilize your lawn in West Texas<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-grass-west-texas\/\">best grasses for West Texas<\/a> are warm-season varieties, the ideal time to fertilize is in the spring when growth begins. Fall follows closely as the second-best time to feed your lawn and prepare it for the cooler months.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some cases, a summer fertilizer application might be beneficial, depending on your lawn&#8217;s condition. But in this case, you&#8217;ll have to make sure you choose the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-lawn-fertilizer-texas\/\">best lawn fertilizers for Texas<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s take a closer look:&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-spring-fertilization\"><span id=\"spring-fertilization\">Spring fertilization<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Manual fertilization of the lawn\" class=\"wp-image-29074\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1-300x181.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1-768x463.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_221809073-1-1-610x368.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/images\/manual-fertilizing-of-the-lawn-in-back-yard-in-spring-time-close-up\/221809073\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maykal<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s recommended to fertilize your West Texas lawn about <strong>six weeks after the last spring frost<\/strong>, which usually occurs in mid to late March. This means you&#8217;ll likely be applying fertilizer in May. Timing it right helps ensure your lawn is out of dormancy and ready to grow.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>In <strong>El Paso<\/strong>, fertilize around <strong>May 1<\/strong>, as the last spring frost typically occurs around March 16.<\/li>    <li>In <strong>Midland<\/strong> and <strong>Odessa<\/strong>, fertilize around <strong>May 15<\/strong>, since the last spring frost usually happens around March 31.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These dates may vary slightly depending on your location and the weather. A good rule of thumb is to wait until<strong> after you&#8217;ve mowed two or three times<\/strong>, which signals your grass has greened up and is out of the dormant state.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> For the best results, you might also want to plant new grass seeds to repair spots with winter damage. For more information on when to do it, check out our guide: \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-plant-grass-seed-texas\/\">The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-summer-fertilization\"><span id=\"summer-fertilization\">Summer fertilization<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer fertilization can be a great boost if your lawn has been neglected or is newly established. However, for low-management lawns, such as those with buffalograss, you can usually skip this step as they don&#8217;t need the extra nutrients during summer.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you do decide to fertilize in summer, make sure to follow these guidelines:&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Choose <strong>slow-release nitrogen fertilizers<\/strong> to avoid a sudden growth spurt that might end up stressing your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Avoid fertilizing if there&#8217;s a drought (we&#8217;re talking to you, Trans Pecos region residents!).<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Time your applications <strong>45 to 60 days apart<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Maybe what&#8217;s making your lawn look unsightly is not so much the lack of nutrients, but those pesky summer weeds. Luckily, you can learn more about them in our guide: \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/west-texas-weeds\/\">The Most Common West Texas Weeds<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-fall-fertilization\"><span id=\"fall-fertilization\">Fall fertilization<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/granular-herbicide-1.jpeg\" alt=\"bags of lawn fertilizer and herbicide sitting on a lawn with a fertilizer spreader in the backyard\" class=\"wp-image-28770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/granular-herbicide-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/granular-herbicide-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/granular-herbicide-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/granular-herbicide-1-610x406.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/bags-of-lawn-fertilizer-and-herbicide-with-broadcast-spreader-in-yard-with-healthy-grass-lawn-care-weed-control-and-landscaping-concept\/799145291?asset_id=799145291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">JJ Gouin<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fertilizing in the fall might seem unnecessary since your grass is about to enter its dormant stage, but it\u2019s actually an important step. A fall application helps your lawn recover faster in the spring, resist winter weeds, and even extend its fall color. Just be sure to fertilize at least <strong>six weeks before the first frost<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In West Texas, the first frost typically happens around November 16, which means your <strong>cut-off date<\/strong> for fertilizing should be <strong>around<\/strong> <strong>October 1<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, the <strong>best time to fertilize will be in September<\/strong>. However, this timing and which part of the month to do it may vary depending on where you live.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-more-texas-resources\"><span id=\"more-texas-resources\">More Texas resources<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Caring for your lawn in West Texas goes beyond just knowing when to fertilize. To help you tackle all aspects of lawn care in this region, we\u2019ve gathered some helpful resources:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-aerate-lawn-texas\/\">When to Aerate Your Lawn in Texas<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-dethatch-lawn-texas\/\">When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Texas<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/bermudagrass-calendar-texas\/\">Bermudagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/zoysia-maintenance-calendar-texas\/\">Zoysiagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-when-to-call-a-professional\"><span id=\"when-to-call-a-professional\">When to call a professional<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that you know when to fertilize your lawn in West Texas, you\u2019re one step closer to a green yard. But if the dry heat or timing everything just right sounds like too much, don\u2019t hesitate to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/texas\">call a local lawn care pro<\/a>. We have professionals in <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/texas\/el-paso-lawn-care\">El Paso<\/a> and other West Texas cities that can handle all the work for you.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-53cfae33-5be3-4e70-9b5f-bfbf6baabf1b\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"true\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-cb5c0040-ecdc-4ee3-b4a2-1b9a3ce9a934\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-53cfae33-5be3-4e70-9b5f-bfbf6baabf1b\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-53cfae33-5be3-4e70-9b5f-bfbf6baabf1b\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Sources:\u00a0<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-53cfae33-5be3-4e70-9b5f-bfbf6baabf1b\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.austintexas.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/Watershed\/growgreen\/3_7_12_2011_lawn_fertilization_in_tx_E-437_handout_3_Chalmers.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lawn Fertilization for Texas Warm-Season Grasses<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/aggie-hort.tamu.edu\/extension\/ornamentals\/lawnfert\/lawnfert.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lawn Fertilization in Texas<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/spreading-lawn-fertilizer-by-hand-to-maintain-healthy-grass\/241242542\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dean<\/a> | Adobe Stock | <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/jo\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the best times to fertilize your lawn in West Texas. May and September are key months, with a summer application in some cases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":32288,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[183],"tags":[1172,1026,1025,1028,1027,1030],"class_list":["post-32286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-texas","tag-lawn-care-abilene-tx","tag-lawn-care-amarillo-tx","tag-lawn-care-el-paso-tx","tag-lawn-care-lubbock-tx","tag-lawn-care-midland-tx","tag-lawn-care-odessa-tx"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lawn-fertilizer.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Maria Isabela Reis","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/maria-isabela-reis\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32286\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}