The Weekly Insight Week 8
Growing Grass in the Desert Starts Here
February 15 - 21, 2026
From My Side of the Counter
Everything is in God’s hands and in nature’s timing. We don’t decide when spring begins, we decide whether we are prepared when it does.
Warm days will tempt people to rush the season. Lawns do not respond to emotion, they respond to conditions. Our responsibility is patience, planning, and acting at the right moment. The people who follow timing instead of temperature swings usually end up with the better lawn.
What the Soil Temperature Is Telling Us and How to React
Current conditions in San Angelo
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Soil temperature: 63°F
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24-hour average: 69°F
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5-day average: 58°F
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Year rainfall: 1.42" (+0.02 above normal)
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Thankful for the moisture received on Valentine’s Day
Moisture in the soil combined with warming temperatures signals the transition period. We are no longer in winter dormancy, but we are not fully in summer growth either.
What this means
We have entered germination conditions for summer annual weeds.
The important number is consistency. Once soil temperatures hold in the mid-50s and above, weed seeds begin waking up before turfgrass does. Bermuda is just starting to prepare for growth, but weeds react first.
You are not late.
The window is open right now.
How to react
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Apply pre-emergent
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Allow rainfall or irrigation to activate it
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Do not wait for green grass
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Do not fertilize yet
Prevention happens before visibility.
What We’re Doing Right Now
1. Pre-Emergent Applications (Main Focus)
We are applying pre-emergent across all turf areas.
Current applications are preventing summer annual weeds, not the winter weeds already present. Fall applications control winter weeds. Today’s application protects the upcoming season.
Rainfall will properly activate the product.
2. Scalping and Canopy Removal
Dormant grass acts like a blanket.
Removing that blanket allows sunlight to warm the soil where growth begins.
Bermuda:
Remove as much dormant growth as possible.
Zoysia:
Cut down only to green tissue.
St. Augustine:
Do not scalp. Only remove excessive dormant material if necessary.
3. Topdressing Uneven Lawns
Uneven or young lawns benefit from leveling now.
Recommended rate:
1 cubic yard per 1,000 sq ft
Use a 50/50 compost and sand blend.
4. Winter Weeds Henbit & Rescuegrass
These weeds are at the end of their life cycle.
Applying pre-emergent today will not control them.
That prevention occurred in the fall.
Current applications are targeting the next generation summer annual weeds.
Mowing and stressing winter weeds now is often more effective than spraying into cold turf.
Reminders
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Tune irrigation systems soon and perform a water audit
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Service mowers before the seasonal rush
Best Management Practice (BMP)
This Week’s Plan
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Remove excess dormant canopy
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Apply pre-emergent and water it in
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Topdress if needed
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Delay fertilizer temperature greens grass, not nitrogen
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Begin mowing winter weeds regularly
Right product. Right rate. Right time.
Talk Shop
If you’re unsure about your lawn, weeds, equipment, or timing, ask.
If you don’t know your chemicals, know your chemical man.
Bring samples, pictures, or questions. That’s what the counter is for.
BES-TEX Supply
4512 Adobe Dr., San Angelo, TX
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.