The Weekly Insight Week 12
Growing Grass in the Desert Starts Here
March 15 - 21, 2026
From My Side of the Counter
You can feel the season gaining momentum.
Across town lawns are beginning their first and second mowing of the year. Edgers are running again. String trimmer line and mix oil are moving off the shelves, which tells me people are edging their yards and getting back into the routine.
But the biggest difference we are seeing right now is preparation.
Lawns that were scalped earlier are showing a light green haze. Lawns that were left untouched are still waking up.
Same weather. Same neighborhood. Different preparation.
We also heard thunder back in February. There’s an old saying around here that if it thunders in February it may snow in April. I don’t know if that’s true, but we are about to get a reminder that winter isn’t completely gone yet. Monday night temperatures may drop to around 35°.
Bermuda will handle that just fine, but it reminds us that early spring is always a transition period.
Around town you can see other signs of the season starting. Nurseries are selling plants, mulch is moving, and power equipment is coming in for service.
The landscape is waking up.
What the Soil Temperature Is Telling Us
24-hour soil temperature: 71.6°
5-day soil average: 70.5°
That places our soil firmly in the active growth range.
When soil temperatures move into the 70° range, the entire landscape system begins to respond:
• Turf roots resume active growth
• Trees and shrubs begin feeder root development
• Soil microbes become more active
• Nutrient cycling increases
• Summer annual weeds begin germinating
• Ant colonies begin moving upward
What we see above ground is driven by what is happening below ground.
This is why timing in lawn and landscape management follows soil temperature, not the calendar.
Green turf this time of year is temperature driven, not fertilizer driven. Fertilizer supports growth that has already started.
What We’re Seeing Right Now
Turfgrass
In our area Bermuda grass is by far the most common turf, whether it is common Bermuda or hybrid varieties. Zoysia is becoming more common in residential lawns, and we still see St. Augustine in protected areas and shaded landscapes.
Each grass behaves a little differently in early spring.
Bermuda responds well to aggressive scalping because most of the plant structure is below ground in stolons and rhizomes.
Zoysia should only be cut down to the green tissue. Removing too much can slow its recovery.
St. Augustine should never be scalped aggressively since most of the plant grows above ground.
Many people are still asking about spraying henbit and rescue grass with herbicides. At this stage these winter weeds are already nearing the end of their life cycle and warmer temperatures combined with regular mowing will stress them naturally.
Pre-emergent is still moving out the door, which is good. Applications now are targeting summer annual weeds, not the winter weeds we are currently seeing.
Trees and Shrubs
Landscape activity is increasing.
Homeowners are beginning to purchase plants from nurseries and mulch sales have increased. Trees and shrubs are entering an active root growth phase, which makes this a good time for slow-release fertilizer applications.
Mulch applications of 2- 3 inches help regulate soil moisture and temperature as the season warms.
Just remember to keep mulch away from the base of the trunk.
Equipment and Yard Activity
Another sign of the season is equipment activity.
We are seeing more power equipment coming in for service and more two-cycle mix and string trimmer line being sold.
That usually means one thing.
People are mowing, edging, and getting their landscapes back into shape for the season.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Ant Control in the Landscape
As soil temperatures rise and moisture moves through the soil profile, ant colonies begin to move closer to the surface.
Effective ant control focuses on the colony, not just the mound.
Granular baits allow worker ants to carry the product back to the colony where it eliminates the source.
Liquid concentrates provide perimeter protection around foundations and landscape edges.
Dust formulations work well in cracks, crevices, and void areas where ants travel.
Combining these methods typically provides the best long-term control.
Scalping Bermuda
Early-season scalping removes dormant canopy and allows sunlight to warm the soil surface faster.
Benefits include:
• Faster green-up
• Better sunlight penetration
• Reduced early weed competition
• Improved air movement around the crown
Lower mowing height gradually and remove as much dormant material as possible.
This aggressive scalping method should only be used on Bermuda grass.
Zoysia should only be cut to visible green tissue, and St. Augustine should never be scalped aggressively.
Talk Shop
Every lawn and landscape is a little different.
If you have questions about soil temperature, fertilizer timing, pre-emergent, or weed control, come see us at the counter.
Bring pictures. Bring questions.
Our goal is simple: give you the information so you can make the right decisions for your landscape.
If you don’t know your chemicals, know your chemical man.
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.