As February draws to a close and the first hints of warmer weather begin to drift across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, North Texas homeowners face a familiar and exciting challenge: transitioning their landscapes from winter dormancy into spring vitality. This window — roughly late February through mid-March — is one of the most important times of year for your lawn, trees, and garden beds. What you do right now sets the tone for the entire growing season ahead.
Assess What Winter Left Behind
Before reaching for a single tool, take a walk around your property with fresh eyes. North Texas winters are unpredictable — one year brings mild temperatures and light frosts, the next delivers an ice storm or a hard freeze. This past season may have left behind broken branches, frost-heaved plants, root damage, or large patches of turf that didn’t survive the cold.
Look closely at your St. Augustine, Bermuda, or Zoysia grass. Brown turf at this time of year isn’t necessarily dead — most warm-season grasses are simply dormant. However, you may notice areas that look gray or matted rather than tan and upright. Those sections may need overseeding or sod repair once temperatures consistently reach the mid-60s.
Check your trees and large shrubs for storm damage, split limbs, or signs of disease. Winter is tough on even well-established plants, and unaddressed damage can invite pests and fungal problems as the weather warms.
Hold Off on Pruning — But Not for Everything
Timing is everything when it comes to late-winter pruning in North Texas. The general rule is to wait until after the last frost before cutting back freeze-damaged shrubs and perennials. In the DFW area, the average last frost date falls between mid-February and mid-March, so patience pays off. Cutting back too early can expose tender new growth to a cold snap.
That said, late winter is actually the ideal time to prune certain plants. Now is the right moment to trim crepe myrtles — though keep in mind that “crepe murder” (severe topping) is never recommended. A light shaping to remove crossing branches and spent seed heads is all that’s needed. This is also the time to prune roses, removing dead canes and shaping them before new buds emerge.
Oak trees, however, are the exception. Due to the risk of oak wilt — a devastating fungal disease spread by beetles — avoid pruning oaks from February through June unless absolutely necessary. If you must make cuts, seal them immediately with a pruning sealant.
Lawn Care: Fertilization Timing Matters
One of the most common mistakes North Texas homeowners make is fertilizing too early. Applying fertilizer to dormant grass pushes nutrient-hungry weeds while your turf isn’t yet able to take advantage of the boost. Wait until your grass shows consistent active green growth — usually late March to early April — before applying a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.
In the meantime, late February is the perfect time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to get ahead of summer weeds like crabgrass and goosegrass. The window for pre-emergent application is tied to soil temperature; once soil temps reach 55°F consistently, weed seeds begin to germinate. Most of North Texas hits this threshold in early spring, so applying now gives your lawn a strong defensive advantage.
Refresh Your Beds and Borders
End of winter is also the right time to refresh your landscape beds before the spring planting rush. Pull any winter weeds that have taken hold, edge your bed borders cleanly, and top off your mulch. A fresh 2-to-3-inch layer of mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds throughout the hot Texas summer ahead.
If you’re planning to add color annuals or summer perennials, hold off on planting until after your last frost date has passed. But now is the time to plan, design, and source your plants so you’re ready to move quickly when the weather cooperates.
Call in the Professionals
End-of-winter landscape care in North Texas requires local knowledge and careful timing. At Fallas Landscape, we understand the unique growing conditions of the DFW area and can help you get ahead of the season with professional pruning, pre-emergent treatments, bed preparation, and custom lawn care programs designed for our regional climate.
Don’t wait for spring to sneak up on you. Contact Fallas Landscape today to schedule a consultation and make this your best-looking lawn and garden year yet.
Ferns are a classic choice for shade gardens, and in North Texas, Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) and Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosorba) are standout performers. Holly Ferns feature glossy, dark green fronds that add a polished look to shaded beds. Autumn Ferns bring a touch of seasonal color with fronds that emerge coppery-red before maturing to green. Both are drought-tolerant once established and thrive in well-drained, organic-rich soil. Plant them under trees or along shaded walkways for a soft, woodland vibe. Tip: Mulch around ferns to retain moisture and keep roots cool during hot Texas summers.
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) is a fantastic groundcover for shady spots. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it ideal for filling in bare areas under trees or shrubs. Varieties like ‘Burgundy Glow’ offer striking foliage in shades of green, purple, and cream, with spikes of blue flowers in spring. Ajuga is tough, tolerating both shade and the occasional drought, but it prefers moist, well-drained soil. Use it to create a carpet-like effect in your garden. Tip: Avoid planting Ajuga in areas with heavy foot traffic, as it’s not as durable as grass.
A North Texas native, Turk’s Cap is a versatile shrub that thrives in partial to full shade. Its bright red, hibiscus-like flowers bloom from summer to fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. This plant is incredibly resilient, handling heat, drought, and poor soil with ease. Its heart-shaped leaves and vibrant blooms make it a focal point in any shade garden. Tip: Prune Turk’s Cap in late winter to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
Hostas are beloved for their lush foliage and ability to brighten shady spots. With varieties ranging from deep green to variegated patterns, they offer endless options for texture and color. Hostas prefer rich, moist soil and do best in partial to full shade, making them perfect for North Texas gardens under tree canopies or along shaded borders. Tip: Protect hostas from slugs and snails by using organic deterrents like crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth.
For a pop of color in shaded areas, Caladiums are hard to beat. Their heart-shaped leaves come in vibrant combinations of pink, white, red, and green, adding a tropical flair to North Texas gardens. Caladiums thrive in warm, humid conditions and prefer well-drained soil. They’re typically grown as annuals in North Texas, as they’re sensitive to cold, but you can dig up the tubers in fall to replant next spring. Tip: Pair Caladiums with ferns or hostas for a layered, textured look.
Columbine is a delicate perennial that brings charm to shaded gardens with its nodding, bell-shaped flowers. Native varieties like Aquilegia canadensis are particularly well-suited to North Texas, blooming in spring with red and yellow flowers that attract pollinators. Columbine prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, and it self-seeds readily, creating a naturalized look over time. Tip: Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding.
The Indian Paintbrush, with its striking spires of red, orange, or yellow blooms, is an iconic wildflower of the American prairies and a staple for any Texan garden. Known for its resilience to drought and erratic weather patterns, the Indian Paintbrush is a low-maintenance beauty that adds a splash of color even during the driest weeks of spring. When in full bloom, these robust flowers attract a variety of pollinators, making them as beneficial as they are beautiful.
No list of Texan flowers would be complete without the Texas Bluebonnet, a quintessential symbol of the Lone Star State. This blue-hued marvel is renowned for its resilience in poor soil conditions and its ability to self-seed, ensuring a stunning display year after year. A mass planting of bluebonnets against the rich green backdrop of your lawn or garden is a classic spring scene that captures the essence of the Texas countryside.
The cheerful, daisy-like appearance of the Black-Eyed Susan is a warm welcome to the spring season. With bright golden-yellow petals and a distinct dark brown center, this flower adds a touch of sunny warmth to any landscape. Black-Eyed Susans are hardy, drought-tolerant perennials that are perfect for North Texas gardens, and their long blooming period means that they provide color from the early spring well into the summer months.
The Purple Coneflower, with its lavender to purple petals and raised orange-brown center, is a native wildflower that thrives in North Texas. A favorite among gardeners for its medicinal properties and among pollinators for its nectar, this standout flower is perfect for adding not just color, but also life, to your spring garden. Its bushy clumps can grow to impressive heights, making it an ideal choice as a backdrop for shorter plants or along fences and walls.
If you’re looking for a more delicate and unique addition to your garden, the Columbine is an elegant choice. With its airy stems and graceful, spurred flowers, the Columbine’s pastel blooms in shades of blue, pink, and lavender are a lovely complement to the bolder colors of spring. Tolerant of shade and thriving in the well-drained soil of North Texas, Columbines provide a soft, ethereal touch to any spring landscape.