Texas’s massive size creates several distinct climate zones, making the timing of grass growth complex. Warm-season grasses, which cover most Texas lawns, enter dormancy during colder months, appearing brown and inactive. Their transition back to active growth is triggered not by a calendar date, but by environmental conditions that move across the state from south to north. Understanding this precise timing is necessary for planning effective spring lawn care, such as applying pre-emergent herbicides and fertilizer.
The Critical Trigger for Grass Growth
Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia) break winter dormancy based on consistent soil temperature. Air temperature is unreliable because it fluctuates too quickly, while the ground retains heat more steadily. To initiate green-up, the soil temperature measured at a four-inch depth must reach and sustain a range between 60°F and 65°F.
Once this thermal threshold is met, the grass shifts resources from root storage to shoot growth. Below 55°F, the grass remains dormant, conserving energy until the soil warms sufficiently. Significant root and runner growth for many warm-season varieties requires temperatures consistently above 65°F. Full, vigorous growth typically requires soil temperatures in the 70°F range.
Regional Timing Across Texas
Because of Texas’s vast north-to-south expanse, the 60°F to 65°F soil temperature trigger is met on different timelines across the state. These timelines are based on historical averages but can shift depending on the severity of winter or the onset of spring warmth. Understanding these regional differences is important for accurately timing lawn care actions.
South Texas, including areas like Brownsville and Corpus Christi, experiences the earliest soil warming. The transition from dormancy often begins in late February, with full green-up typically occurring by early to mid-March. This region has the longest growing season, allowing for the earliest application of spring treatments.
Central Texas, encompassing cities such as Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, experiences a slightly later schedule. The soil temperature threshold is generally met between late March and early April. Homeowners in this zone should target initial spring lawn care tasks during this window.
The latest start to the growing season occurs in North Texas and the Panhandle, including Dallas, Fort Worth, and Amarillo. Due to cooler temperatures and later last-frost dates, the soil often does not reach 65°F until mid-to-late April. In the Panhandle, where cold weather lingers longest, green-up may not be fully underway until early May.
Specific Needs of Common Texas Grasses
While regional climate sets the general stage, the specific type of grass determines its exact speed of emergence. Bermuda grass is known for its resilience and cold tolerance, making it typically the first warm-season grass to show signs of life. Its lower temperature threshold allows it to break dormancy slightly sooner than other varieties.
St. Augustine grass, along with Zoysia, tends to be slower and requires a warmer, more stable soil environment to emerge fully. Bermuda lawns often begin to green up a week or two before St. Augustine lawns, even within the same neighborhood. St. Augustine’s later start is due to it being less cold-tolerant, waiting for the soil to retain heat more reliably before committing to active growth.
Cool-season grasses, such as Fescue, are used sparingly in Texas, primarily in shaded areas of the northern part of the state. These grasses follow a reverse schedule, thriving in cooler soil temperatures between 50°F and 65°F and slowing down once summer heat arrives. For the majority of Texas lawns, waiting for the soil to reach the consistent 60°F to 65°F range signals the start of spring maintenance.