Beat the Texas Heat: Protecting Your Landscape in a Drought
The Texas sun is relentless. When a drought settles in, with weeks of scorching days and little rain, your landscape can quickly start to show signs of stress. Lawns turn brown, leaves wilt, and your cherished plants can struggle to survive.
But don’t despair! With some smart strategies and proactive care, you can help your landscape not just survive, but thrive, even during the toughest Texas drought. Here’s your guide to protecting your outdoor investment.
1. Water Deeply and Infrequently
The biggest mistake during a drought is watering too often but not enough. Shallow, frequent watering encourages weak, surface-level roots that are vulnerable to heat.
- The Right Way: Water deeply and less frequently. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, where they can access moisture even when the surface is dry.
- Pro Tip: Water early in the morning (before 10 AM) to minimize evaporation. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to the root zone where it’s needed most, rather than spraying leaves.
2. Embrace the “Brown Lawn”
A dormant, brown lawn is not a dead lawn. Bermuda and Zoysia grasses are naturally drought-resistant and will go dormant to conserve energy during extreme heat and water scarcity. They will typically green up again once cooler temperatures and rain return.
- What to Do: If you choose to water your lawn, do it deeply once a week rather than sprinkling it daily. If you don’t water, avoid heavy traffic on the brittle grass.
3. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
Mulch is your landscape’s best friend during a drought. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips, bark, or shredded leaves) does wonders:
- Reduces soil moisture evaporation.
- Keeps soil temperature cooler.
- Suppresses water-stealing weeds.
- Key Tip: Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems to prevent rot.
4. Hold Off on Fertilizer
Fertilizer encourages new, tender growth, which requires a lot of water and is highly susceptible to heat damage. During a drought, avoid fertilizing your lawn and landscape beds. Let your plants focus on conserving energy and maintaining existing growth, not pushing out new leaves.
5. Postpone Pruning
Similarly, avoid heavy pruning. Pruning stimulates new growth, which places a high water demand on the plant. Only prune to remove dead, diseased, or broken branches that could become a hazard.
6. Weed Relentlessly
Weeds are fierce competitors, stealing precious water and nutrients from your desirable plants. Be diligent about pulling weeds so every drop of water goes to the plants you want to keep.
7. Make Long-Term Drought-Proof Choices
The best defense against drought is a good offense. The most effective way to protect your landscape long-term is to choose plants that are naturally adapted to the Texas climate.
This is the most important step: Invest in native and drought-tolerant species. These plants have evolved to handle our heat, sun, and irregular rainfall. They require significantly less water once established, saving you time, money, and worry season after season.
For the backbone of any resilient landscape, start with your trees. We’ve compiled an expert guide on the best drought-tolerant trees for Texas to help you make the right choices for a beautiful, low-maintenance yard that can stand up to the heat.
Your Drought Survival Checklist:
- Water deeply 1-2 times per week in the early morning.
- Let your lawn go dormant; it will likely recover.
- Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch around plants and trees.
- Stop fertilizing until the drought breaks.
- Avoid pruning unless necessary for safety.
- Pull weeds regularly.
- Plan for the future with drought-tolerant plants.
By following these tips, you can help your landscape weather the dry spell. Remember, a little strategic care now can make all the difference in keeping your outdoor space healthy and beautiful.
