Weekly Insight Week 17
Growing Grass in the Desert Starts Here
April 19 - 25 , 2026
From My Side of the Counter
This week has been interesting.
We’ve had moisture. Cooler mornings. Soil temperatures holding steady. And with more rain in the forecast, everything is starting to respond.
But what I’ve noticed most is not what’s happening in the yard.
It’s how people are interpreting what they’re seeing.
I’ve had several conversations this week where folks believe they are dealing with fungus.
Given our current soil temperatures, cooler nights, and overall conditions, that’s just not what we’re seeing right now.
What we are seeing is growth.
Growth in turf. Growth in weeds. Growth in insects.
When everything starts moving at once, it’s easy to misread the signs.
That’s why understanding what you’re looking at matters.
What the Soil Temperature Is Telling Us
5-day soil average: 75.7°
This is a key range.
At this temperature:
• Warm-season grasses are actively growing
• Root systems are expanding
• Nutrient uptake is strong
• Summer weeds are beginning to germinate
• Insect activity is increasing
And here’s where it gets important.
Moisture + warm soil = acceleration.
Not just for turf.
For everything.
Bugs, Weeds, and Fungus
Insects
With the moisture we’ve received, ants are showing up.
Fire ants, red ants, and the small nuisance ants, all of them prefer areas where the soil is not being disturbed.
Flower beds, edges, and landscape areas are where you’ll typically find them first.
Weeds
We are still seeing winter weeds, especially in turf areas.
At the same time, summer weeds are beginning to show.
• Khakiweed (mat forming, low growing)
• Western ragweed starting to germinate
• Nutsedge beginning to appear in wetter areas
• Weeds showing up in rock beds, sidewalks, and driveways
That overlap can be confusing.
Fungus
This is where we need to be clear.
Right now, conditions do not strongly support fungal disease.
Fungus typically becomes more active when:
• Nighttime temperatures stay consistently warm
• Humidity remains high
• Leaf surfaces stay wet for extended periods
We are not fully in that window yet.
What many people are seeing is not fungus.
It’s stress, moisture imbalance, or natural transition.
What We’re Seeing Right Now
Turfgrass
Grass is growing and filling in.
With soil temperatures in the mid-70s, Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine are all actively responding.
Mowing frequency is increasing.
Fertilization is appropriate when the lawn is actively growing.
Grass is actively growing right now, and this is where fertilizer starts to matter.
One thing we’re hearing quite a bit is concern about over-fertilizing.
Let’s put some simple math behind it.
A 16-8-8 fertilizer applied at 6.25 pounds per 1,000 sq ft delivers 1 pound of nitrogen.
That is a standard, sound application rate for Bermuda during active growth.
Where over-fertilization starts to happen is when rates get pushed too high in a single application.
For example:
Applying 12 to 15 pounds per 1,000 sq ft of that same fertilizer in one application is excessive.
That’s where you can start to see problems like:
• excessive top growth
• shallow rooting
• increased water demand
• more stress under heat
On the other hand, applying fertilizer at the correct rate, and doing it multiple times through the growing season, is not over-fertilizing.
For Bermuda, especially in high-use or previously neglected lawns, a program of 6 to 8 light applications during the season can make sense.
That approach:
• feeds the plant steadily
• supports root development
• helps the lawn fill in over time
• avoids large surges of growth
Fertilizer is not about dumping more product.
It’s about applying the right amount at the right time, based on what the plant can use.
Water and Moisture
We are currently above our average rainfall for the year, and April has delivered strong moisture so far.
That changes how we manage water.
Right now, the focus should be:
• Monitoring soil moisture
• Adjusting irrigation
• Avoiding unnecessary watering
Too much water can create more problems than not enough.
Weed Identification Matters
Instead of asking, “How do I kill this?”
The better question is:
“What is it?”
Because:
• Winter weeds behave differently than summer weeds
• Broadleaf weeds respond differently than grassy weeds
• Timing determines effectiveness
Correct identification leads to correct timing.
Correct timing leads to better results.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Observe Before You Act
Before applying anything:
• Identify the weed
• Understand its life cycle
• Consider timing
• Match the product to the target
Good decisions start with good observation.
Manage Moisture
With recent rainfall:
• Reduce irrigation
• Avoid overwatering
• Watch for pooling or runoff
• Adjust as conditions change
Moisture management is critical right now.
Talk Shop
There is a lot happening right now.
Growth is strong. Moisture is present. Insects are active. Weeds are transitioning.
If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, come see us.
Bring pictures. Bring questions.
We’re here to help you understand what’s happening so you can make the right decisions.
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.
