9 Things You NEED to Know About Grass | Lawn Care Fort Worth
At New Day Landscaping, we're constantly looking for ways to help our customers understand what makes their grass tick. I've personally worked with over 100 families in Fort Worth to solve their lawn care needs and problems, and these insights are some of the most valuable I can share. Let's explore what most homeowners don't know about their grass – and how understanding these principles can help your lawn thrive in our challenging Texas climate. A big shoutout to Brian at Turf Mechanic for creating this fantastic video on lawn care basics!
1. Understanding Grass Rooting in Texas Heat
In Texas, understanding root development is crucial. Our grass primarily builds its root system during spring and early fall, while it actually sheds roots during our brutally hot summers. This is something we see constantly in Fort Worth properties – lawns that look great in May but struggle by August.
The key is timing your lawn care activities to support root growth during those critical seasons. At New Day, we adjust our service recommendations based on this natural cycle, ensuring your grass develops a strong foundation that can withstand our summer heat. A deeper root system means your lawn will be more drought-resistant and require less supplemental watering – something every Fort Worth homeowner can appreciate.
2. Why Your Lawn Looks Brown After Mowing
Have you ever noticed your lawn looking dingy or brown right after mowing? This is especially common in neighborhoods like Overton Park and Tanglewood where homeowners often try to maintain that "golf course" look.
The problem happens when grass is cut too low, exposing all the dead material underneath the green leaf canopy. In Fort Worth's hot climate, this problem is even more pronounced because our grass often grows taller to protect itself from heat stress.
Instead of scalping your lawn, we recommend maintaining a taller cut, especially during summer months. For particularly compacted yards, we offer dethatching services that remove that dead material without stressing your lawn. It's one of the ways we keep our 95% client retention rate – we solve problems rather than create them.
3. The Mowing Frequency Secret Most Fort Worth Homeowners Miss
Here in Fort Worth, I often see homeowners waiting until their grass is excessively tall before mowing, especially during our spring growth periods. But counterintuitively, mowing more frequently (not shorter!) creates a healthier, denser lawn.
Regular mowing encourages lateral growth, making your turf thick enough to choke out weeds naturally. This is particularly important in Benbrook and Crowley areas where certain weed varieties are persistent challenges.
By maintaining a consistent mowing schedule, you'll actually spend less time battling weeds. Our weekly mowing service clients typically see significantly fewer weeds than those on bi-weekly schedules, even without additional chemical treatments.
4. Fort Worth Soil Health Matters More Than Fertilizer
One of the biggest misconceptions I see in the Fort Worth landscaping industry is the overemphasis on chemical fertilizers while ignoring soil health. Our clay-heavy soils in Texas need more than just nitrogen – they need structural improvement and biological activity.
Instead of just focusing on fertilizer applications, we work with our clients to build healthy soil through organic amendments and proper cultural practices. These methods have helped us achieve our "detail-oriented" reputation in neighborhoods like Tanglewood, where discerning homeowners notice the difference.
Healthy soil leads to healthier grass that's more resistant to disease, drought, and pest pressure – all common challenges in our local climate. It's why we've maintained our 5-star rating across 25+ reviews.
5. Smart Watering for Texas Drought Conditions
Watering is perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of lawn care in Fort Worth. With our water restrictions and hot summers, knowing exactly when and how much to water can make an enormous difference in your lawn's health.
I typically recommend deep, infrequent watering – about once a week even during spring and fall. This approach encourages deeper root growth and greater drought resistance. It's also why our irrigation inspection services focus on efficiency and proper coverage rather than simply increasing watering frequency.
Many struggling patches in Fort Worth lawns aren't suffering from lack of water – they're often dominated by annual grasses that naturally die off as part of their lifecycle. Recognizing this distinction saves our clients from wasting water and money trying to resurrect grass that's simply reached the end of its natural cycle.
6. Choosing the Right Grass for Your Fort Worth Property
Not all grass varieties thrive in our Fort Worth climate. Between our hot summers, occasional freezes, and varying soil conditions, selecting the right grass type is critical.
We see this often in neighborhoods like South Hills, where some properties struggle while neighbors have lush lawns – simply because they're working with different grass varieties. As a company that truly knows the Texas climate inside and out, we help homeowners identify which grass varieties will thrive in their specific microclimates.
St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia all have different requirements and strengths. Understanding which variety dominates your lawn (or which would be best for a new installation) makes all the difference in how much maintenance your lawn will require.
7. The Truth About Mowing Height in Texas Heat
In Fort Worth's summer heat, mowing height becomes even more critical than in cooler climates. The temptation to cut grass short to extend time between mowings ends up causing more harm than good.
Our professional approach to lawn mowing at New Day Landscaping is to maintain higher grass heights during summer months (typically 3-4 inches depending on grass type) and slightly lower heights during spring and fall. This seasonal adjustment protects your grass during stress periods while still maintaining a manicured appearance.
This approach is part of our comprehensive care philosophy – we don't just mow your lawn, we actively manage it through the seasons to keep it healthy year-round.
8. Self-Repairing Capabilities: What Fort Worth Homeowners Need to Know
Understanding whether your grass type has lateral spreading capability is crucial in Fort Worth. With our hot sun and active outdoor lifestyles, lawn damage is inevitable – but recovery doesn't always happen automatically.
For properties with bunch-type grasses, those bare spots from pet damage or heavy traffic won't fill in on their own. This is why we offer specialized overseeding services tailored to your specific grass type and soil conditions.
Recognizing which repair strategy works for your lawn type can save you significant time and money – it's one of the ways we provide strategic recommendations that keep your lawn healthy long-term.
9. Fort Worth Beginner-Friendly Lawn Care Tips
If you're feeling overwhelmed by lawn care information, start with these Texas-specific basics:
Water deeply but infrequently (once or twice weekly)
Mow regularly without removing more than 1/3 of the grass height
Identify your primary grass type to understand its specific needs
Focus on soil health before turning to chemical solutions
Get a free professional assessment to create a maintenance plan tailored to your specific property
At New Day Landscaping, we pride ourselves on educating our clients so they understand the "why" behind our recommendations. It's part of our transparent, comprehensive approach to lawn care that has earned us our stellar reputation across Fort Worth.
Whether you're in Benbrook, Crowley, or right here in Fort Worth, we're here to help you achieve a lawn that makes your neighbors green with envy. Contact us today for a free assessment of your property!
New Day Landscaping
Fort Worth's Trusted Lawn Care Experts
(817) 760-0479
www.newdaylandscaping.net
