Yard Maintenance

Follow these 11 easy care steps to maintain lush turf grass that conserves water resources and provides a safe play area for your family and pets.

1. Mow Regularly

Keep your lawn trimmed to a height of 2-3 inches for optimal health and to comply with community standards.

Recommendation:

• Set mower at its highest setting. Cut off no more than one third of the length of the grass blade. Longer grass blades shade the ground, keep soil cooler and weed seeds from germinating and help lawns develop deeper roots.

• Mow as needed to maintain proper height.

• Leave grass clipping on the lawn.

Avoid:

• Scalping the grass at the beginning of the season and routinely cutting it too short.

• Waiting too long to mow so that more than one-third is cut.

• Bagging the clipping and putting on the curb. Grass clipping quickly decomposes on site and adds nutrients to the soil.

A lawn mower cutting grass

2. Water Wisely

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation, and follow Woodlands Water guidelines for water conservation.

Recommendation:

• Water 1 to 1.5 inches per week early in the day.

• Infrequent deep watering encourages grass roots to grow deep into soil so the turf can withstand droughts.

• Use nozzles that release large water droplets.

• Apply water slowly to avoid run-off.

• Use a rain sensor.

Avoid:

• Frequent shallow watering.

• Watering late in the day.

• Using nozzles that release water as a fine mist because mists of water evaporate.

• Run-off water because it contributes to mosquito breeding sites.

• Watering when rainfall has been adequate.

A water sprinkler watering green grass and purple flowers

3. Use Native Plants

Incorporate native plants and grasses in your landscape to reduce water use and support local wildlife.

Red, yellow and orange flowers

4. Fertilize Responsibly

Use slow-release, phosphorus-free fertilizers and follow the "Don’t Bag It" lawn care policy by mulching grass clippings.

Recommendation:

• Use slow-release organic fertilizer with a 3-1-2 ratio.

• Divide 100 by the first number on the bag to calculate the amount of fertilizer to supply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet per year.

• Apply no earlier than mid-April. Grass should be fed when growth is vigorous.

Avoid:

• Repeated applications of synthetic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers increase microbial activity in the soil. Synthetics cause salt buildup and kill beneficial microbes.

• Fertilizers with a high nitrogen content. High nitrogen fertilizers cause thatch and encourage brown patches.

• Weed and feed combination products.

Fertilizer bucket spreading granulated seed

5. Weed Control

Keep your lawn weed-free with eco-friendly herbicides or natural weeding methods to maintain a tidy appearance.

Hands wearing green gloves holding a small grouping of weeds

6. Edge & Trim

Regularly edge sidewalks and driveways to maintain a clean, neat boundary between lawn and hardscapes.

Electric weed edger trimming green grass

7. Remove Debris

Promptly remove leaves, fallen branches, and other debris to maintain curb appeal and prevent pest buildup.

A person holding a rake next to leaves

8. Mulch Flower Beds

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch in beds to retain moisture, control weeds, and enhance the appearance of your landscape.

A person with green gloves picking up mulch by yellow flowers

9. Limit Chemical Use

Use environmentally safe pest control methods to protect the health of the soil and local wildlife

A person using a water hose with a fertilizer bottle attached to water the grass

10. Consider the Season

Spring

• Apply fine-screened compost to the lawn. Rake to obtain an even layer.

• Mow, removing only one-third of the leaf blade at each mowing.

• Fertilize mid-April.

• Correct low places in the lawn by adding 1 ½ inches of sandy topsoil. Rake to allow the grass blades to be exposed.

Summer

• Maintain St. Augustine lawns at 3 to 3 ½ inches.

• Watch for chinch bugs near pavement. Irrigate these areas well. If chinch bugs prevail, call Environmental Services at 281-210-3800 for an organic remedy.

Winter

• Irrigate only if rainfall is not sufficient. Lawns need less water in winter during dormancy.

• Rake or mow leaves with a mulching mower so they do not accumulate on the lawn. Compost raked leaves.

Fall

• Avoid watering lawns in the evening.

• Fertilize mid-October.

• Apply fine-screen compost if not applied in Spring.

• Turn off automatic irrigation systems November 1.

A rake next to a pile of leaves

11. Comply with Covenants

Always consult the Township's Covenant Administration Department before making any major landscaping changes to ensure compliance with community standards.

A person holding a phone taking picture of bush

Deep roots are the secret to healthy turf grass. Encourage root development from the start by conditioning lawns with proper irrigation. Follow along for recommended fertilization and mowing practices.

Caring for a New Lawn

• Saturate freshly installed sod.

• Roll lawn with sod roller to ensure firm contact with soil.

• Irrigate daily or as needed for first two weeks until grass is firmly rooted. Check soil for moisture as a guide for watering.

• Taper irrigation, watering less frequently each week.

• At 6 to 8 weeks, treat as established lawn.

• For more information, read the Earth-wise Guide to Lawn Care.

Keep Established Lawns in Shape

• Irrigate deeply, applying an inch so that water is absorbed by soil to depth of 4 to 6 inches. Avoid run-off.

• Irrigate infrequently. An inch of water a week is enough, including rainfall. 

• In mid-April, fertilize sparingly with a slow-release organic fertilizer with a ratio of 6-2-4 or 8-2-4.

• Raise lawnmower to highest setting and cut off no more than a third of the grass blade at each mowing.

• Let clippings fall to the ground—grass clippings supply a quarter of the lawn’s fertilizer needs.

Avoid These Lawn Stressors

• Shallow, frequent irrigation creates shallow roots.

• Irrigating late in the day contributes to fungal disease.

• High nitrogen fertilizer increases disease susceptibility.

• Combination of products that contain fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide.  Application seasons differ.

• Cutting grass too short compromises root development.

Please keep grass clipping and run-off from overwatering out of sewers. These can create mosquito breeding sites.

Eighty to ninety percent of a plant’s nutrients are found in its leaves. As leaves fall to the ground, they decompose and these nutrients return to the soil. Composting is an easy and inexpensive way to increase soil fertility.

Managing Leaves

An undervalued commodity, leaves are an investment for the health of your landscape! Leaves bank 50 to 80 percent of a tree’s nutrients, yielding a treasure trove for plants. Reap the benefits of leaves by recycling nutrients back into the soil in these easy ways:

For Light Leaf Drop: Mow and Leave

• Mulching mower works best.

• Remove bag, close discharge shoot and mow.

• A light layer shreds easily and decomposes quickly.

• Improves soil by adding organic matter.

• Efficient and easy.

For Heavy Leaf Fall: Gather for Mulch

• Rake or blow leaves and pine needles into beds.

• Greatly reduces weeds.

• Conserves soil moisture.

• Protects plant roots from temperature extremes.

• Adds nutrients to soil as leaves break down.

• Make Compost.

Collect Leaves in a Compost Bin

• Add grass clippings, produce scraps, air and water.

• In time, the mixture becomes crumbly, rich humus.

• Use to topdress lawn and garden beds or mix into soil.

• Improves physical, chemical and microbial properties of soil.

Compost Bins

High-quality collapsible C.E. Shepherd compost bins are available for $65 at The Woodlands Township townhall located at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. The bin dimensions are 3.5' X 3.5' X 4', about one cubic yard. Comparable bins typically retail for $200–$250, making this a great value for residents. Call 281-210-3800 to learn more about online payment options.

Pick-Up Times

• Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Pick up at Town Hall, 2801 Technology Forest, The Woodlands 77381

• Call 281-210-3800.

• Last Saturday in September at The Woodlands Landscaping Solutions event.

Compost Recipe

Brown Stuff + Green Stuff + Air + Water = Recipe for Success!

• Place composting bin on bare soil in a convenient location near a water source.

• Start compost pile with leaves and plant trimmings.

• Cut kitchen scraps into small pieces to speed decomposition.

• Bury kitchen scraps.

• Keep material as moist as a well-wrung out sponge.

• Stir or turn pile regularly to add air.

Composting is natural recycling. Put your yard trimmings and kitchen scraps to work by creating nutrient-rich homemade compost in your own backyard. For one week out of each month, the Environmental Services Department is focusing on backyard composting.

Whether you are just starting to compost or are an experienced home composter, you can learn more about composting with these great resources. For more information visit our blog. 

Earthwise Resources

Online Resources

Here are a few helpful resources for lawn care, including tips on fertilizing, seasonal care and more to keep your yard healthy and thriving.

• The Earthwise Resources Blog

• Woodlands Water Guidelines

Classes and Events

View the Environmental Services calendar for upcoming classes and events where you can learn more about lawn care either virtually or in-person.

Environmental Services Calendar