Weekly Insight Week 25
Growing Grass in the Desert Starts Here
June 14 - 20, 2026
Your Most Expensive Lawn Product Is Water
A Quick Texas Agricultural Advisory
Before we get into this week's topic, I wanted to briefly address the New World Screwworm situation that many Texans have been hearing about.
Confirmed cases have now been detected in Texas, and while most BES-TEX customers are homeowners, many of us also own dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep, cattle, and other animals.
The best advice at this time is simple: check your animals regularly. Pay close attention to cuts, wounds, recent surgeries, branding sites, horn removal sites, and navels on newborn animals. Early detection is critical.
If you observe a wound that appears unusually large, foul smelling, slow to heal, or contains visible larvae, contact your veterinarian immediately.
State and federal agencies continue to monitor and respond to this issue. As Texans, we have always looked after our livestock, pets, wildlife, and neighbors. A few minutes spent checking your animals today could prevent a much larger problem tomorrow.
Now let's shift gears and talk about something that affects nearly every homeowner this time of year.
Mow. Water. Feed.
If you've visited with me at the BES-TEX counter very long, you've probably heard me talk about three basic principles of lawn care:
Mow. Water. Feed.
Most lawn problems can usually be traced back to one of those three areas.
Of the three, irrigation is often the most difficult to master.
Why?
Because every lawn is different.
A lawn growing in deep shade does not require the same amount of water as one growing in full sun. A sandy soil behaves differently than a clay soil. A flat lawn behaves differently than one on a slope. Bermuda grass behaves differently than St. Augustine.
There is no magic sprinkler setting that works for every lawn.
How Much Rain Have We Already Received?
The San Angelo area averages approximately 21 inches of rainfall annually.
As of June 13, we have recorded 10.31 inches of rainfall at BES-TEX Supply.
That means we have already received nearly half of our average annual rainfall, and summer has only just begun.
Yet many irrigation controllers are still running on the same schedule they were programmed for weeks or months ago.
One of the easiest ways to save water and improve lawn health is simply adjusting your irrigation schedule to account for recent rainfall.
Remember, rainfall counts too.
The Most Expensive Lawn Product You Will Ever Buy
Every week customers walk into BES-TEX looking for fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
What surprises many people is that the most expensive lawn product they will ever purchase isn't sold in a bag, jug, or bottle.
It's water.
Most homeowners know what they spend on fertilizer. Few know what they're actually spending on water.
You buy it every month.
And if your irrigation system is not adjusted properly, you may be paying for far more than your lawn actually needs.
The Goal of Irrigation
Many homeowners think the goal of irrigation is to keep the soil wet.
It is not.
The goal is to thoroughly wet the root zone, approximately the upper six inches of soil where most turfgrass roots live.
Then allow that soil to gradually dry back down.
Roots need two things:
-
Water
-
Oxygen
When soil remains saturated too long, oxygen levels decrease and problems begin.
Overwatering can encourage:
-
Brown Patch
-
Take-All Root Rot
-
Mushrooms
-
Algae
-
Shallow root systems
-
Increased weed pressure
In my experience, I see far more lawns damaged by overwatering than underwatering.
Front Yard, Back Yard, Side Yard
Most sprinkler systems are programmed by location:
-
Front Yard
-
Back Yard
-
Side Yard
The problem is grass doesn't know whether it's in the front yard or back yard.
Grass responds to:
-
Sunlight
-
Shade
-
Heat
-
Wind
-
Soil conditions
In a perfect world, irrigation zones would be designed around:
-
Sunny areas
-
Shady areas
-
Slopes
-
High heat areas
-
Turf type
Think about your own lawn.
Where does it dry out first?
For many homeowners, it's the grass growing next to sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and streets.
Concrete and asphalt absorb heat throughout the day and continue releasing that heat long after the sun goes down. Those areas often lose moisture faster than the rest of the lawn.
Instead of increasing the run time for the entire zone, sometimes the better solution is grabbing a garden hose and giving those trouble spots a little extra attention.
You don't always have to rely on the sprinkler system alone.
How Much Water Does Your Lawn Really Need?
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda is the most drought tolerant of the common turfgrasses grown in West Texas.
A healthy, established Bermuda lawn generally performs well with approximately one inch of water per week, including rainfall.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia is also drought tolerant and generally performs well with about one inch of water per week.
Its dense growth habit often allows it to use water efficiently while maintaining good turf quality.
St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine is typically the thirstiest of the three.
During summer, many St. Augustine lawns require between one and one-and-a-half inches of water per week depending on weather, shade, and soil conditions.
Remember, these are guidelines, not rules.
Every lawn is different.
Let's Do The Math
One inch of water applied to 1,000 square feet equals approximately 623 gallons.
5,000 Square Foot Lawn
-
3,115 gallons for one inch of water
-
Approximately $20 to $25 per week in water costs
-
Roughly $80 to $100 per month during irrigation season
10,000 Square Foot Lawn
-
6,230 gallons for one inch of water
-
Approximately $40 to $50 per week in water costs
-
Roughly $160 to $200 per month during irrigation season
One Acre
-
43,560 square feet
-
Approximately 27,150 gallons for one inch of water
When homeowners see those numbers, they quickly understand why irrigation can become one of the largest expenses associated with maintaining a lawn.
The Cost of Overwatering
Many homeowners think the penalty for overwatering is simply a higher water bill.
Unfortunately, that is often just the beginning.
Overwatering can lead to:
-
Higher water bills
-
Brown Patch
-
Take-All Root Rot
-
Increased weed pressure
-
Additional mowing
-
Fungicide applications
-
Lawn repairs
A $50 irrigation mistake can quickly become a several hundred dollar lawn problem.
The goal is not to use more water.
The goal is to use the right amount of water.
The Tuna Can Test
One of the simplest irrigation tools you'll ever own may already be in your kitchen.
Place several empty tuna cans, cat food cans, or small straight-sided glasses throughout the lawn.
Run your irrigation system.
Measure the water depth collected in each container.
When the average depth reaches one inch, stop the clock.
Now you know exactly how long your system must run to apply one inch of water.
No guessing.
No assumptions.
Just real measurements.
What Is Your Lawn Telling You?
Signs Your Lawn Needs Water
-
Footprints remain visible
-
Blue-gray appearance
-
Folded grass blades
-
Slow recovery after walking
Signs You May Be Overwatering
-
Mushrooms
-
Yellowing turf
-
Soft or soggy soil
-
Algae growth
-
Brown Patch
-
Take-All Root Rot
Your lawn is usually giving you clues.
We simply have to learn how to read them.
A Five-Minute Irrigation Audit
Take a few minutes this week and inspect your system.
✓ Broken heads
✓ Tilted heads
✓ Leaking valves
✓ Spraying sidewalks
✓ Dry spots
✓ Clogged nozzles
✓ Controllers adjusted for recent rainfall
Small adjustments today can save a lot of water, money, and frustration later.
Final Thoughts
The goal is not to water on a schedule.
The goal is not to see how much water you can apply.
The goal is to replace what Mother Nature did not provide.
Irrigation is part science and part art. Soil type, sun exposure, grass variety, slope, wind, and rainfall all play a role.
Every lawn is different.
Learning how to properly irrigate a lawn is one of the most valuable skills a homeowner can develop.
If you have questions about your lawn, irrigation system, grass type, disease concerns, or anything else related to turf care, stop by BES-TEX Supply. Bring a sample, bring a picture, or simply bring your questions.
Thank you for allowing BES-TEX Supply to be part of your lawn and landscape success. We appreciate the opportunity to share these weekly insights and hope they help you better understand your lawn, landscape, trees, and pest concerns.
Know someone who enjoys learning about their lawn and landscape? Click the green button below to share these Weekly Insights with them.
The greatest compliment you can give us is a referral. Thank you for helping us grow our Weekly Insights community.
If you have a lawn, landscape, tree, pest control, or outdoor power equipment topic you would like us to cover in a future Weekly Insight, simply reply to the text message you received. I personally read every response and would be happy to research your question or topic. If I know the answer, I'll share it. If I don't, I'll do the research and learn right alongside you.
Thank you for your continued support of BES-TEX Supply.
Monte Sims
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. S&FoS