The type of soil, the slope of your yard, how much you water, and the use of fertilizer are three of the key components to a great looking lawn.

 
Soil Type
Lawns with a sandy soil texture require more frequent watering than lawns that have loam or clay soils.

Slope
If your lawn has sloping areas, be sure to place the sprinklers near the top of the slope; this will help avoid runoff when watering.

Fertilizer
Using different types of fertilizer will help decrease the amount of water required to maintain a healthy lawn. A slow release nitrogen fertilizer helps plants use less water.

Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcover
Established plants do well in the summer when watered about once a week, especially if mulch is placed around the plants. Using low output sprinkler heads, bubblers, or drip irrigation systems help prevent runoff. Choosing Texas native plants will also reduce the amount of watering required.

Best Grass for the Texas Climate

            Grass Species            Water Requirement              Shade Tolerances

            Buffalo grass               Low                                        Poor

            Bermuda grass            Moderate                                Poor

            Centipede                    Moderate                                Fair

            Zoysia                         Moderate                                Good

            Carpet grass                High                                       Fair

            St. Augustine               High                                       Good

            Tall Fesque                  Very High                               Good

            Bluegrass                    Very High                               Good

When to Water Grass
The best time to water is early morning.

How Much to Water
1 to 1 ½ inches of water is usually adequate.