Texas is a state with four very distinct seasons — each one affecting your yard in a different way. Spring brings heavy growth, summer adds extreme heat and storms, fall brings leaf drops, and winter introduces freezes and debris. Because of these seasonal changes, Texas homeowners must adjust their yard cleanup routines throughout the year.
Whether you live in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Waco, Arlington, Lubbock, or a surrounding area, this guide provides a complete, Texas-specific yard cleanup schedule to keep your lawn and landscaping healthy every month.
Spring Yard Cleanup in Texas (March–May)
Spring is the season when Texas yards come back to life — and usually the busiest cleanup period of the year.
1. Remove Winter Debris & Dead Growth
Winter storms and freezes often leave behind:
- Fallen branches
- Palm fronds (coastal areas)
- Old leaves
- Dead plants
- Damaged shrub tips
- Debris around walkways and fences
All of this must be cleared to prevent pests, mold, and blockages in the lawn.
2. Spring Debris Removal
Even though fall is the primary leaf season, many Texas trees hold leaves until late winter.
Leftover debris smothers spring grass growth, so clearing them early is essential.
3. Early Weed Identification & Removal
Spring moisture + warm temperatures = explosive weed growth.
Common early-spring Texas weeds include:
- Chickweed
- Henbit
- Clover
- Plantain
- Dandelions
- Wild onion
- Dollarweed
- Poa annua
- Thistle
Removing weeds early prevents them from maturing and spreading seeds.
4. Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Treatment
This is crucial for Texas lawns.
Pre-emergent prevents summer weeds like:
- Crabgrass
- Spurge
- Nutsedge
- Broadleaf weeds
Apply between February 1–March 15 depending on the region.
5. Refresh Mulch Around Flowerbeds & Trees
Fresh mulch:
- Prevents weeds
- Helps soil retain moisture
- Regulates temperature
- Improves curb appeal
Texas heat dries mulch faster, so early refresh is important.
6. First Mowing & Edging of the Season
Grass begins growing rapidly in March.
Tasks include:
- First mow (higher cut setting)
- Edging sidewalks and driveways
- Leveling uneven areas
- Blowing off grass debris
Early mowing defines the yard's shape for the rest of the season.
7. Trimming Shrubs & Hedges
Texas shrubs such as red tips, holly, ligustrum, boxwoods, and oleander begin expanding aggressively in spring.
Trimming prevents:
- Overgrowth
- Pest hiding spots
- Branches blocking walkways
- Bushes touching the house
Summer Yard Cleanup in Texas (June–September)
Summer brings extreme heat, humidity, storms, and explosive grass growth.
1. Weekly Mowing
Summer grass grows fast due to:
- Long daylight hours
- High soil moisture (from irrigation)
- Warm temperatures
Most Texas lawns require mowing every 5–7 days.
2. Weekly Weed Control
Even with spring pre-emergent, Texas's humidity causes late-summer weeds to appear.
Treat:
- Crabgrass
- Nutsedge
- Dallisgrass
- Dollarweed
- Clover
- Dandelions
- Broadleaf weeds
Herbicides must be applied correctly due to heat sensitivity.
3. Storm Cleanup After Thunderstorms
Summer storms commonly scatter:
- Branches
- Leaves
- Palm fronds
- Twigs
- Shingles
- Debris blown from nearby yards
Quick storm cleanup prevents lawn suffocation and pest attraction.
4. Inspect Trees for Storm Damage
Texas's storms often snap limbs off large trees.
Tasks:
- Remove broken limbs
- Cut hanging branches
- Clear debris from gutters
- Trim trees away from the roof
This prevents property damage and improves yard safety.
5. Monitor for Pests & Fungus
Heat + moisture attract:
- Chinch bugs
- Armyworms
- Grubs
- Fire ants
- Mosquitoes
And high fungus risk:
- Brown patch
- Take-all root rot
- Gray leaf spot
Consistent yard care reduces pest and fungus activity.
Fall Yard Cleanup in Texas (September–November)
Fall is cleanup and prep season.
1. Leaf Removal
Texas oaks and pecan trees drop heavy leaves.
Leaving them on the lawn causes:
- Mold
- Fungus
- Dead patches
- Pest infestations
- Grass suffocation
Remove leaves regularly during peak fall season.
2. Final Grass Mowing & Edging Before Winter
Warm-season grasses begin to slow down, but they still need attention in fall.
Tasks:
- Final mow in late October or early November
- Lower blade slightly for winter prep
- Edge pathways and borders
- Remove all clippings
3. Fall Weed Removal
Cool-season weeds begin emerging, including:
- Henbit
- Chickweed
- Clover
- Wild garlic
- Wild onion
- Annual bluegrass
Removing these now prevents them from spreading across winter.
4. Final Bush Trimming
Bushes grow until late fall in Texas.
Trim before winter to prevent overgrowth.
5. Mulch Before Winter
Mulch protects plants during winter and helps protect against sudden freezes.
6. Trim Trees & Bushes Before Winter Dormancy
Cutting back fall growth:
- Improves airflow
- Prevents storm damage
- Reduces pest hiding spots
Don't prune spring-flowering bushes too heavily — they set buds in fall.
Winter Yard Cleanup in Texas (December–February)
While winter is the quietest season for yard work, it still requires cleanup to prevent spring problems.
1. Remove Remaining Leaves
Leaves left all winter:
- Create dense mats
- Promote fungus
- Block sunlight
- Kill grass
- Attract pests
Winter rain + leaves = mud mats that kill grass.
2. Freeze Cleanup & Storm Debris Removal
Winter freezes and storms leave behind:
- Branches
- Twigs
- Dead plant matter
- Ice-damaged shrub tips
Clearing this prevents spring pests and disease.
3. Winter Weed Control
Some weeds thrive in cold Texas weather.
Treat:
- Chickweed
- Henbit
- Wild onion
- Wild garlic
- Annual bluegrass
Manual removal or selective sprays work best.
4. Protect Cold-Sensitive Plants
Wrap or cover:
- Young shrubs
- Exposed roots
- Newly planted trees
Mulch heavily around root zones to prevent freezing damage, especially in Austin, Dallas, and Houston where occasional freezes occur.
5. Inspect Yard for Drainage Problems
Winter rain reveals:
- Puddling
- Soil shifting
- Drainage issues
- Erosion
Fixing these prevents spring lawn damage.
Why Seasonal Yard Cleanup Matters in Texas
Doing the right cleanup in each season:
- Prevents weed takeovers
- Reduces pests
- Protects grass health
- Improves curb appeal
- Keeps HOAs satisfied
- Makes your spring easier
- Lowers long-term maintenance costs
Most yard problems in Texas happen when homeowners skip seasonal cleanup — everything compounds by the time spring arrives.
Get Seasonal Yard Cleanup Services in Texas
If you want a clean, healthy yard all year long, Yard Maintenance connects you with Texas professionals who specialize in:
- Yard cleanups
- Leaf and storm debris removal
- Weed control
- Tree and shrub trimming
- Mulching
- Mowing
- Storm cleanup
Yard Maintenance Services
Explore our comprehensive yard maintenance services available in your area
Yard Maintenance
Regular maintenance to keep your yard healthy and beautiful.
Lawn Mowing & Edging
Regular mowing and precise edging for a well-maintained lawn.
Yard Cleanup
Thorough cleanup to restore your yard's appearance.
Bush & Hedge Trimming
Professional trimming to keep your shrubs and hedges neat.
Weed Removal
Remove and prevent weeds for a cleaner yard.
Leaf Removal
Complete leaf removal during fall and spring seasons.
Basic Landscaping Maintenance
Keep your landscaping fresh with mulch and rock maintenance.
Service Areas & Services
Get yard maintenance quotes in these Texas cities
Ready to Get Started?
Get connected with trusted local yard maintenance professionals in your area. Free quotes, no obligation.