A Seasonal Lawn Watering Guide for Central Texas

If you’ve ever stood staring at your sprinkler system wondering, “Am I watering too much…or not enough?”--You’re in good company.

In Texas, it can feel like your lawn is always thirsty, especially during those endless summer heat waves. But then winter rolls around, and suddenly you’re not sure if you should be watering it all. It’s confusing, and trying to get it just right can feel like a full-time job.

That’s where a seasonal watering guide comes in handy. Adjusting your watering schedule throughout the year isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Central Texas weather changes fast, and your landscape has different needs in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. 

So, how long should sprinklers run in Texas? And when’s the best time to water grass in Texas? Let’s break it all down season by season, help you spot signs of trouble, and share a few easy tips to make your lawn thrive. 

How Long to Water in Texas During Each Season

When it comes to watering your lawn in Central Texas, timing is everything–but maybe not in the way you would expect. You don’t need to change how many minutes your sprinklers run constantly. Instead, focus on how often they run and how much water they deliver. 

The goal? Every time you water, you want to deliver about ¼ inch of water. That’s the sweet spot. From there, you can adjust how many days a week you water based on the season. Here’s how it all breaks down: This sounds complicated, but a good irrigation company can simplify it for you. Heat, wind, plant type, slope and soil type are all factors that impact your watering strategy.  

Spring (March-April)

Target Watering Goal: water lawn 1 inch per week
Spring in Central Texas brings warmer days and increased plant activity. This is the time when lawns wake up from winter and need more consistent moisture. Aim to water 2-3 times a week, depending on rainfall.

If you’ve got a traditional sprinkler controller, keep your run times the same and simply add or remove watering days. With more rain likely in the spring, you might be able to skip watering entirely some weeks, and that’s okay. 

Summer (May-August)

Target Watering Goal: water lawn 1 ½ inches per week 
This is when things get real. Summer in Central Texas can be brutal, with high temperatures and lots of evaporation. Plants lose moisture fast through a process called evapotranspiration, so they end up needing more water to keep up.

During these months, your system will likely need to run 3-4 times a week, but again, it depends on how much rain we get. You might go all in one week and then need to ease off the next week. Smart controllers really shine here because they automatically adjust based on the weather. For traditional systems, just keep your run times the same and adjust your watering days.

Fall (September-October)

Target Watering Goal: water lawn 1 inch per week in September, tapering to ½ inch in October- December
As temperatures cool off and days get shorter, your lawn’s thirst naturally slows down. In early fall, you’ll still want to water around 2-3 times a week, but by late October, you can usually cut back to once or twice a week, sometimes even less if we get decent rainfall.

This is the perfect time to start dialing things back without completely shutting off your system. Your grass is preparing for dormancy, and too much water can cause problems.

Winter (November-February)

Target Watering Goal: water lawn ½ inch per week or less
Believe it or not, your lawn still needs a little water in winter, even if it’s not growing much. Aim for once a week or even once every two weeks, depending on rainfall. Some weeks, you might not need to water at all..it all depends on rainfall.

This is when it is the most tempting to turn your sprinkler system off entirely. And in many cases, that is fine, as long as you are watching the weather and ready to supplement if things get dry. If your system is set up to deliver ¼ inch of water per cycle, you only need to run it once or maybe twice in a week to meet winter watering goals. 

Pro Tip: Don’t Mess with the Minutes

A big mistake homeowners make? People are constantly adjusting the run times for every zone. That’s a ton of work, and it’s not necessary. We recommend setting your system so each zone delivers ¼ inch of water every time it runs. Once that’s dialed in, all you have to do is change how many days per week your system runs.

This strategy works across most Central Texas grass types because while there are differences in species, the soils are fairly consistent, and the basic watering needs line up well, especially when you base it on evapotranspiration and seasonal demand. 

When is the Best Time to Water Grass in Texas?

Now that we’ve discussed how long sprinklers should run in Texas, it’s just as important to know the time of day you should run them. 

The best time to water grass in Texas is in the early morning, ideally around 4:00 am. This is when the wind is usually calm, temperatures are cool, and your system can run without interfering with family routines or pet time outdoors. Watering at this time helps ensure the moisture soaks into the soil instead of evaporating in the heat or blowing away in the wind.  

Avoid watering in the evenings, when lingering moisture can sit on the blades overnight and encourage fungal activity.  

Spotting the Signs of a Problem: Overwatering vs. Underwatering 

Central Texas heat makes overwatering less common in the summer months, but it still can happen, especially in shady areas or during wet seasons. Underwatering, on the other hand, is something we see a lot.

Here are signs to watch for:

Underwatering

• Grass changes color and starts to look dull
• Footprints remain visible in the grass after walking on it
• Grass blades curl or feel crispy

Overwatering

• Grass is yellowing or thinning out, especially in winter
• Presence of mushrooms or fungi
• Soil feels soggy, or you see standing water after a run

The biggest watering mistake many homeowners make? Turning off their Texas lawn sprinkler system in October and not turning it back on until March. Cold and dry is a terrible combination for lawns. Grass prefers to be slightly moist during a cold snap, and it helps to protect the root system. So don’t assume winter means “off.” Even watering just once a week can make a big difference. 

Help Your Central Texas Grass Shine Through Every Season

There’s a lot you can do to keep your grass vibrant while staying efficient and conserving water. Check out our two favorite tips that really make a difference:

• Use Smart Controllers- Smart irrigation controllers adjust your watering based on local weather, soil moisture, and even evapotranspiration rates. That means they can reduce or pause watering if rain is in the forecast–super helpful when watering restrictions in Texas kick in during dry spells.
• Schedule a Professional System Audit- A professional irrigation audit can check your entire setup–sprinkler heads, run times, and water output. This helps you answer the big question: how long should sprinklers run in Texas, for your specific sprinkler system. An optimized setup keeps your grass healthy, reduces water bills, and prevents long-term damage.

Partnering with Green Ackors for Texas Lawn Sprinkler Maintenance and Efficiency

When it comes to watering your lawn in Central Texas, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are seasonal strategies that work. From adjusting watering days as the weather shifts, to timing your irrigation just right in the early mornings, to paying attention to the signs your grass is sending, you’ve got the power to keep your lawn healthy in every season.

And if it feels like too much to juggle? That’s what we’re here for.

At Green Ackors, our goal is to help you take the guesswork out of seasonal watering. From smart controller set up to system audits and everything in between, we’re here to make sure your lawn gets exactly what it needs. 

Searching for some help managing your irrigation system through the changing seasons? Get started by filling out our contact form.