The Weekly Insight Week 7
Growing Grass in the Desert Starts Here
February 8 - 14, 2026
This Weekly Insight was last published in Week 44 of 2025, and as we move into Week 8 of 2026, we’re bringing it back with purpose. Going forward, this will go out every Sunday at 2:00 PM, giving you time to prepare for the upcoming week, not react once it’s already passed.
The goal is simple. Share what we’re seeing, explain why it matters, and help you make better decisions before problems show up. Lawn care, pest control, equipment, and operations are all seasonal businesses, and the people who plan ahead are the ones who stay ahead.
Before we get started, I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who trusted us in 2025, whether you stopped in once or leaned on us all year. Your business, your questions, and your loyalty are not taken lightly. We appreciate every conversation at the counter.
As we step back into the growing season, we’re looking forward to what’s ahead. Spring is around the corner, opportunities are opening up, and the work we put in now is what shapes the rest of the year.
Here’s the mindset to start the season:
“Growth doesn’t happen all at once. It happens when preparation, timing, and effort come together.”
Welcome back to the growing season. Let’s make 2026 a strong one, together.
From My Side of the Counter
Seeds of effort bloom into stunning landscapes. Keep pushing forward.
This part of the season tests patience. We get a few warm days, then a reminder that winter isn’t finished yet. That doesn’t mean nothing should be done. It means smart work now sets the stage for fewer problems later. Consistency, not urgency, wins the season.
What the Soil Temperature Is Telling Us and How to React
Current Conditions
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Current soil temperature: 75°F
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5-day soil temperature average: 51°F
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Recent warm stretch following freezes and snow
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Adequate surface moisture remains in the soil profile
What This Means Biologically
The key here is trend versus spike.
While we’ve seen a warm soil temperature reading, the five-day average tells us the soil has not stabilized at warm-season germination levels yet. Weed seeds respond to consistent soil temperatures, not single warm afternoons.
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Bermuda grass is still largely dormant
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Summer annual weed seeds are approaching activation
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Crabgrass germination typically begins when soil temperatures consistently hold 55 - 60°F
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Moisture combined with warming soils increases the urgency for pre-emergent timing
This is the warning phase, not the panic phase.
How to React
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Pre-emergent applications should be going out now or immediately upcoming
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Do not wait for green grass
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Water in with 0.25 - 0.5 inches of irrigation or rainfall
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Avoid early nitrogen applications on Bermuda
Once soil temperatures stabilize above 55°F, the window starts closing fast.
What We’re Doing Right Now
Here’s what we are actively recommending and doing this week.
Pre-Emergent Applications
Purpose: Prevent summer annual weeds before germination.
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Apply pre-emergents containing prodiamine or dithiopyr
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Target full lawn coverage, not just problem areas
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Water in with 0.25 - 0.5 inches of irrigation or rainfall
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Timing is more important than brand choice
Waiting until weeds emerge turns prevention into damage control.
Dormant Pruning and Cleanup
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Roses and crape myrtles are being pruned now
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Remove dead, damaged, or crossing limbs
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Improve structure and airflow before spring growth
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Clean up debris to reduce disease pressure
Dormant pruning supports healthier growth once temperatures stabilize.
Equipment Tune-Ups
This is the quiet window to get ahead.
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Oil change
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Air filter replacement
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Spark plug replacement
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Blade sharpening
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Belt and tire inspection
Every year the same pattern shows up. First warm mowing weekend, equipment failures spike. This avoids that.
Best Management Practice (BMP)
Early February Lawn & Landscape Strategy
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Apply pre-emergent before soil temperatures stabilize above 55°F
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Use existing soil moisture to activate products
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Delay fertilization until Bermuda breaks dormancy
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Prune dormant ornamentals now
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Service mowing and spray equipment before demand spikes
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Scout weekly and adjust based on soil temperature trends
Right product. Right rate. Right time.
Talk Shop
If you’re dealing with weed pressure, equipment questions, spray timing, or even business decisions in this industry, bring it in.
We talk turf, pests, equipment, and operations every day at the counter. If something isn’t making sense, let’s walk through it together.
BES-TEX Supply
4512 Adobe Dr., San Angelo, TX 76903
325.653.1300
www.BES-TEX.com
Payment Terms: At BES-TEX Supply, we accept all major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express), as well as personal checks & cash. Please note that all sale items must be paid for at the time of purchase. We do not offer net 30 terms on sale items.