Spring Landscaping Checklist for DFW: March, April, and May Tasks for a Healthy Yard

Spring in North Texas is a sprint. One week it’s 40°F and drizzly, the next it’s 85°F and the trees are leafing out. The window for spring landscaping tasks is narrow, and timing is everything. Do your pre-emergent too late and you’ll be pulling crabgrass all summer. Prune your roses at the wrong time and you’ll cut off this year’s blooms. At Groundhogs Services, we’ve been managing DFW landscapes through every unpredictable spring for years. Here’s our month-by-month checklist to get your yard ready for the growing season.

March: The Wake-Up Call

March is the most important month for DFW landscaping. The average last freeze date for Dallas is March 15-20, but we’ve seen freezes as late as April. Watch the forecast and be ready to protect tender plants.

Pruning

• **Trees:** Late winter/early spring is the ideal time to prune most deciduous trees while they’re still dormant. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Focus on structure and safety.
• **Roses:** Prune hybrid tea roses back by about one-third when forsythia blooms. Remove dead canes and thin the center for airflow.
• **Ornamental grasses:** Cut back to 4-6 inches before new growth emerges. This is the single most important task for grass health.
• **Perennials:** Cut back dead foliage from last season. Leave 2-3 inches of stem to mark plant locations.
• **Wait on:** Do NOT prune spring-blooming shrubs like azaleas, forsythia, and quince until after they bloom. You’ll cut off this year’s flowers.

Cleanup

• **Remove winter debris:** Clear fallen leaves, branches, and dead plant material from beds. This prevents disease and pest issues.
• **Refresh mulch:** Top up beds with 2-3 inches of fresh shredded hardwood mulch. This suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and looks clean.
• **Edge beds:** Re-establish clean edges between beds and lawn. A sharp edge makes the whole yard look manicured.
• **Weed early:** Pull winter weeds (henbit, chickweed) before they go to seed. The key is getting them early.

Soil and Fertilizer

• **Soil test:** If you haven’t tested in 3+ years, now is the time. DFW soil is typically alkaline and may need sulfur or amendments.
• **Pre-emergent:** Apply a pre-emergent herbicide (like Dimension or Prodiamine) when soil temperatures reach 55°F — typically mid-March. This prevents crabgrass, foxtail, and other summer weeds.
• **Fertilize trees and shrubs:** Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) to trees, shrubs, and perennials as they break dormancy.
• **Compost:** Top-dress beds with 1 inch of compost. This adds organic matter and beneficial microorganisms.

Lawn Care

• **Aerate:** Core aeration relieves soil compaction and allows water and nutrients to reach roots. March is ideal for cool-season grasses (fescue, rye).
• **Overseed:** If you have cool-season grass, overseed after aeration. Use a blend suited to DFW’s transition zone.
• **First mow:** Set mower to 3-4 inches. Don’t scalp the lawn. First mow of the season should be light.
• **Irrigation check:** Turn on your irrigation system and inspect for broken heads, leaks, and misaligned spray patterns. Fix issues before the heat hits.

April: Full Speed Ahead

By April, the risk of freeze is low (but not zero). Growth is accelerating rapidly. This is the month for planting and active lawn care.

Planting

• **Annuals:** Plant warm-season annuals like zinnias, marigolds, portulaca, and vinca after the last freeze. These thrive in DFW heat.
• **Perennials:** April is prime planting time for perennials. The soil is warm, and plants have time to establish before summer.
• **Vegetables:** Plant warm-season crops: tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and beans. Wait until soil is consistently above 65°F.
• **Trees and shrubs:** Spring planting gives roots time to establish before summer stress. Water deeply and regularly.

Lawn Care

• **Warm-season grass awakening:** Bermuda, St. Augustine, and zoysia are greening up. Don’t fertilize until they’re at least 50% green.
• **Weed control:** Spot-treat broadleaf weeds (dandelion, clover) with a post-emergent herbicide. Avoid spraying on windy days.
• **Mowing:** Mow regularly but never remove more than one-third of the blade height. Keep St. Augustine at 3-4 inches, Bermuda at 1.5-2 inches.
• **Watering:** Start a regular watering schedule if rain is scarce. Deep, infrequent watering (1 inch per week) encourages deep roots.

Maintenance

• **Mulch:** Finish mulching beds if you haven’t already. 2-3 inches is the sweet spot.
• **Stake plants:** Install stakes or cages for tall perennials and vegetables before they need them.
• **Divide perennials:** Spring-blooming perennials can be divided after flowering. Summer-bloomers can be divided now.
• **Pest watch:** Monitor for aphids, spider mites, and bagworms. Early detection means easier control.

May: Heat Is Coming

May is the transition month. The pleasant spring weather gives way to the first real heat. Your focus shifts from planting to preparation for summer.

Irrigation

• **System tune-up:** Run each zone and check coverage. Adjust heads to eliminate dry spots and overspray on hardscapes.
• **Smart controller:** If you don’t have a smart irrigation controller, consider upgrading. It adjusts watering based on weather and soil moisture.
• **Schedule adjustment:** Increase watering frequency as temperatures rise. In May, most DFW lawns need 1-1.5 inches of water per week.
• **Early morning watering:** Water between 4 AM and 8 AM for maximum efficiency. Midday watering loses 30-50% to evaporation.

Mulching and Soil

• **Deepen mulch:** Check mulch depth. Add more if it’s below 2 inches. Mulch is your best defense against summer heat.
• **Compost tea:** Apply compost tea or liquid seaweed to give plants a nutrient boost before summer stress.
• **Soil moisture:** Install a moisture meter to avoid overwatering. Clay soil holds water longer than you think.

Plant Care

• **Deadhead:** Remove spent blooms from spring flowers to encourage continued blooming.
• **Pinch back:** Pinch back chrysanthemums, asters, and other fall-blooming perennials to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
• **Fertilize:** Apply a second round of fertilizer to perennials and shrubs. Use a formula with lower nitrogen as summer approaches.
• **Watch for heat stress:** As temperatures climb, watch for wilting, leaf scorch, and other signs of heat stress. Adjust watering accordingly.

Pest and Disease Prevention

• **Fungicide:** Apply preventative fungicide to roses and other susceptible plants before humidity spikes.
• **Bagworm treatment:** Treat junipers and arborvitae for bagworms if you see small, cone-shaped bags.
• **Chinch bugs:** Watch for chinch bugs in St. Augustine lawns. They thrive in hot, dry conditions.

DFW-Specific Spring Considerations

Last freeze date: The average last freeze in DFW is March 15-20, but don’t trust averages. We’ve had Easter freezes and April cold snaps. Keep frost cloth handy until mid-April.

Soil warming: DFW clay soil warms slowly. Don’t rush to plant warm-season crops. Use a soil thermometer and wait until soil is consistently above 65°F at 4 inches deep.

Spring storms: North Texas spring means severe weather. Secure potted plants, stake young trees, and have a plan for hail protection. Hail can shred a landscape in minutes.

Pollen: Spring in DFW means high pollen counts. If you’re doing your own landscaping, wear a mask on high-pollen days. Consider low-pollen plants for future plantings.

Ready for a Stress-Free Spring?

Spring landscaping is a lot of work, and the window is short. If you’re too busy to tackle this checklist — or just want it done right — Groundhogs Services can handle it all. From pruning and mulching to irrigation tune-ups and full bed renovations, we’ve got you covered.

Call us at (214) 713-1228 or visit groundhogstx.com to schedule your spring service. We serve Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Rockwall, and all of North Texas. Let’s get your yard ready for a beautiful summer.