Current lawn: https://imgur.com/a/pGUmthB
Hello everyone, I just bought my first house in San Antonio and I’m trying to figure out how to keep the yard looking decent without going overboard. I’d like something relatively green and usable, but also simple and low maintenance since I’m still learning.
Any tips on what grass works best in Texas hot climate and the process? Appreciate all the advice!
by cookielover9316
5 Comments
Hey friend! I don’t know much about Texas, but I think most folks here would recommend that you figure out what native plants grow naturally in your climate and then mimic that (presumably opting for the shorter options), even if it goes against current social norms for your area; it may not end up being grass, and it may not end up being a monoculture (i.e. a lawn comprised of just one type of plant). Are you open to that?
Buffalo grass!
SAWS has some good resources regarding native plants/grasses. There are some coupons and rebates that might be of interest also.
https://www.saws.org/conservation/garden-style/
If you have plenty of sun you could seed the short grass native mix from DKSeeds.com (local supplier). It’s Buffalo Grass, Blue Grama, and Sideoats grama. You could also look into habiturf which is very similar. These won’t be as durable or dense as Bermuda but it will be a lot less mowing and use a lot less water, practically no fertilizer.
You would need to start killing off any existing grass and weeds now and then seed this spring.
I would tackle your yard one piece at a time. For a full or part sun area, plant a patch of frog fruit. It tolerates high heat and will come back from the roots after a freeze. It only needs to be mowed a few times a year and the white flowers attract bees. Only downside–you would need to buy some plants to start it, then yank out grass so it has room to spread.
You could have a section with taller grasses like the beautiful gulf muhly. Sea oats would do well in a mostly shaded area–they also help improve drainage.
If you want wildflowers in the spring, October/November is the time to plant those seeds.