The Best Time to Plant Sod, Shrubs, and Trees in Dallas-Fort Worth (Hint: It's Not Spring)
When most homeowners think about planting a new lawn, shrubs, or trees, they automatically think of spring or summer. It makes sense—everything is green and growing.
But in North Texas, that's actually not the best time.
If you ask many of the major sod farms and commercial growers serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area, they'll tell you the same thing:
October is one of the best months of the year to install new sod, shrubs, and many landscape plants.
(I didn't say nurseries, they want your repeat business) Companies like Monrovia, the major out of state growers not retailers.
Why October Is the Best Time to Plant in DFW
Unlike much of the country, our winters are relatively mild. In a typical year, North Texas experiences temperatures that allow grass roots to continue developing long after summer has ended. Actually it's one of the great things about living in North Texas, while yes our summers can be hot we experience great temperatures 8-12 months out of the year.
Instead of spending their energy surviving 100-degree temperatures, newly installed plants can focus on establishing deep, healthy root systems.
By planting in October, your lawn has approximately seven months to develop before the intense Texas heat returns.
That stronger root system often means:
Better drought tolerance
Healthier, greener grass
Less transplant stress
Stronger shrubs and trees
Better long-term performance
Many landscape companies are busiest during spring and summer because that's when homeowners start thinking about their yards. However, if your goal is the healthiest lawn possible—not simply installing one quickly—fall is often the better choice.
Liquid Fertilizers Make Lawn Care Simple
One of the easiest ways to keep your lawn healthy is by using liquid fertilizers.
Unlike traditional granular products that take longer to break down, liquid fertilizers begin working almost immediately. They can be absorbed through the grass blades (foliar feeding) or watered into the soil to feed the roots.
For homeowners who want an easy application method, I use the Chapin G362D hose-end sprayer.
Why I Like the Chapin G362D
I've tried numerous sprayers over the years, and this one is my favorite because it's incredibly simple.
Here's how it works:
Pour the entire bottle of liquid fertilizer into the sprayer.
Set the dial to the manufacturer's recommended mixing rate.
Attach it to your garden hose.
Turn on the water.
Pull the trigger and begin spraying.
When you're finished, simply pour the unused fertilizer back into its original container for next month's application and store it.
One important tip that isn't clearly explained in the instructions:
The dial setting is read where the small metal indicator circle is located on the brass fitting. I confirmed this directly with Chapin's customer service.
Always double-check your dial setting before spraying.
How to Apply Liquid Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer doesn't need to be complicated.
Here's my routine:
Fill the sprayer with your product.
Set the correct dilution rate.
Attach the sprayer to your hose.
Turn on the water.
Begin spraying at one end of the yard and work backward.
I always throw the hose behind me as I move. That keeps me from spraying the hose itself and prevents tracking fertilizer across the lawn with my shoes.
Spray each section just long enough for the grass blades to become wet—usually about three to five seconds.
A typical 2,500-square-foot backyard (small to medium size) only takes about five minutes to treat.
Afterward, you have two options:
Leave it on the leaves for a foliar feeding.
Run your sprinklers for approximately three minutes per zone to move nutrients into the root zone.
Both methods work well depending on your goals.
Products I Personally Use
Over the years, I've tested countless lawn products. These are the ones I continue using.
SuperThrive
Although many people think it's a fertilizer, SuperThrive is actually a root stimulant.
It encourages root development and helps reduce stress after planting.
When I installed my own sod, this was the only product I applied for the first seven months. Purchase a pint or a Gallon, not the 4oz. bottle offered at department stores, you'll find the best deal on Amazon.
During summer, I typically apply it every two to four weeks while keeping the lawn properly watered.
For newly installed sod or established lawns, I recommend spraying it twice each week or once per month.
It has consistently produced excellent results for me.
Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro
I generally apply this twice each month to encourage healthy green growth. This product greens your lawn
Yard Mastery Derby Green
This is my preferred monthly granular fertilizer to maintain color and overall lawn health. This company also offers a high quality line of liquid fertilizers that won't harm your lawn and the owner is an outstanding teacher of general lawn care and feeding your lawn.
Dyna-Gro Pro-TeKt
Pro-TeKt supplies potassium and silicon, which help strengthen turf and improve stress tolerance.
Be sure to follow the label directions carefully. I use a very slight increase over the standard rate with my Chapin sprayer, but homeowners should always begin with the manufacturer's recommendations.
FoxFarm Organic Liquid Fertilizers
If you prefer organic products, FoxFarm offers several excellent liquid fertilizers that can be applied more frequently throughout the growing season.
An Extra Feature I Love
One feature that often gets overlooked on the Chapin sprayer is the adjustable nozzle.
With the spray tip removed, the pattern changes to a concentrated stream that can reach approximately 20 feet.
That makes it easy to feed:
specimen shrubs
ornamental trees
foundation plantings
hard-to-reach landscape beds
without carrying additional equipment.
Coming Next Week
In next week's article, I'll share:
my favorite garden hose and hose reel combination,
the watering method I've used for decades to grow beautiful indoor plants with as few as eight waterings per year, and
how to keep houseplants looking healthy for decades with minimal maintenance.
About the Author
Most people know me as a REALTOR® serving Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, Bedford, Westlake, Trophy Club, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Euless, Watauga, Roanoke, Flower Mound, Coppell, Fort Worth, Dallas, and surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth communities.
Before entering real estate, I spent more than 25 years in the interior plant industry, designing and installing decorative container gardens, tropical plant displays, and large specimen plants for luxury homes, corporate offices, healthcare facilities, universities, and other high-end commercial properties.
I had the opportunity to work alongside interior designers, architects, building owners, project managers, and contractors on multimillion-dollar renovations and new construction projects, where quality and attention to detail were expected every day.
Today, I bring that same level of professionalism, planning, and long-term thinking to my real estate clients.
Whether you have questions about lawn care, landscaping, indoor plants, preparing your home for sale, or buying a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I'm always happy to help.
If you're considering buying or selling a home—or simply have a question—feel free to reach out anytime.
Continue Learning About Lawn Care
Creating a beautiful lawn in North Texas is a year-round process. If you enjoyed this guide, you may also find these articles helpful:
Continue Learning About Lawn Care
Creating a beautiful lawn in North Texas is a year-round process. If you enjoyed this guide, you may also find these articles helpful:
➜ How to Keep St. Augustine Grass Green in Dallas-Fort Worth During the Summer Heat
Learn the fundamentals of growing a healthier lawn, avoiding common mistakes, and creating a landscape that looks great throughout the year.
Check back often as I'll continue adding new lawn care, landscaping, and home maintenance guides specifically for Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners.
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