Why shouldn’t I water my Houston lawn the same amount all year?
Short answer: Houston’s seasonal changes can substantially change how much supplemental irrigation a landscape actually needs — summer heat and winter dormancy are not the same lawn, and they should not get the same water.
Houston summers are hot, humid, and long, and St. Augustine is actively growing and losing water fast. In late fall and winter the same grass slows down, can go dormant, and needs very little supplemental water — the City of Houston even recommends turning automated systems off from November through February, since a dormant lawn needs essentially no extra water. Watering a dormant lawn on a summer schedule is pure waste.
The right amount also changes with rainfall. A rainy spring may need almost no irrigation, while a dry August may need the full schedule. That is why we set seasonal schedules, and why a weather-based controller that adjusts to actual conditions beats a fixed timer that waters the same amount in January and July.
What we check in Summerwood
This is a common call in Summerwood, and it is the kind of problem we test in the yard instead of guessing at from the driveway. We run the system, watch how the water is actually moving, and check the parts that cause this — before anything gets replaced. That is the same approach in the full Smart Controllers service page.
Related reading: Smart Controllers in Kingwood · All questions · Contact us
Learn more: Texas A&M AgriLife — Maintaining St. Augustinegrass Lawns (watering, mowing, catch-can test)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Houston lawn need in summer?
About 1 to 1.25 inches of water a week, including rainfall, split across 2 to 3 waterings. In winter, a dormant St. Augustine lawn needs essentially none.
Do I have to reprogram the controller every season?
Somebody does — either you, us, or a weather-based controller that adjusts automatically. A fixed schedule that never changes is the most common reason a system over-waters in winter.
Do you serve Summerwood?
Yes. Orion’s Rain serves Summerwood and the Lake Houston area — Kingwood, Atascocita, Porter, Humble, New Caney, Summerwood, Fall Creek, Huffman, and Eagle Springs. Call or text (281) 504-9998, 24 hours a day.
Related questions
- Why should irrigation schedules change during the year?
- Should I water my Houston-area lawn every day during August?
- Why is early morning usually a good time to run sprinklers?
Get it looked at
If this sounds like your yard in Summerwood, call or text Orion’s Rain at (281) 504-9998 — 24 hours a day. We will test the system and tell you what is actually wrong, and what it will take to fix it the right way.
Orion’s Rain Smartscapes and Exteriors — (281) 504-9998 — LI0029444
Sources: Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension / WaterMyYard — about 1 to 1.25 inches per week including rainfall for Houston lawns; City of Houston Public Works — turn off automated systems November 1 through February 28.