By Billy Forrest

By late April, East Texas lawns are fully awake. Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses are actively growing, flowerbeds are filling in, and the soil is warming fast. This is the window where the decisions you make directly determine how your lawn looks and performs through the hot months ahead.

Late spring isn’t a time to coast — it’s a time to build momentum.

Why Late April and Early May Matter So Much

Right now, your grass is putting down the roots that will carry it through summer stress. Heat, drought, and foot traffic are all coming. Lawns that finish spring strong handle summer far better than those that were rushed or neglected in April.

At the same time, weeds are aggressive this time of year. Warm-season weeds like crabgrass, dallisgrass, and nutsedge are establishing themselves now. If they get ahead of you in May, they’ll dominate by July.

Focus on These Five Things

1. Mow at the Right Height

Raise your mower one notch as temperatures rise. Taller grass shades soil, conserves moisture, and grows deeper roots. Scalping a lawn in late spring is one of the fastest ways to invite weeds and summer stress.

2. Water Deeply, Not Often

Short, frequent watering trains roots to stay near the surface. Long, deep watering once or twice a week trains them to grow down — which is exactly what you need before summer heat arrives.

3. Address Weeds Before They Seed

A weed that goes to seed in May becomes hundreds of weeds in June. Treating weeds now, while they’re still young, is dramatically more effective than fighting them in the heat of summer.

4. Feed the Soil, Not Just the Grass

A balanced late-spring fertilization supports steady growth without forcing weak, fast top growth. Overfeeding right now often backfires once heat arrives.

5. Check Irrigation and Drainage

Before summer demand peaks, make sure your irrigation is covering evenly and no areas are holding water after rain. Small drainage issues become big problems once temperatures climb.

Don’t Forget Flowerbeds and Landscaping

Late spring is the ideal time to refresh mulch, replace winter-damaged plants, and clean up beds before summer growth explodes. A well-maintained bed now means less weeding, less watering, and a better-looking property all summer.

The Bottom Line

What you do in late April and early May sets the tone for the entire summer. Lawns that get smart, consistent care right now are the ones that stay green, thick, and healthy even when July heat settles in over East Texas.

If you’re not sure what your lawn needs this time of year, a professional evaluation can spot issues before they become expensive problems.

A1 Lawn & Landscape proudly serves Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and surrounding East Texas communities.

📞 Call 936-635-0555 for a free estimate.

Rooted in Faith. Growing in Service.