The Ultimate Annual Landscape Maintenance Plan for a Picture-Perfect Yard

Texas Growth Seasons 101

In our part of Texas, plants don’t grow evenly year-round. Instead, they follow a clear pattern:

• Spring and Fall are the two growth seasons – this is when plants put on size, set blooms, and recover from stress.
• Summer is survival mode – heat and drought stress everything, and problems escalate quickly.
• Winter is mostly dormancy – growth slows, but freeze damage and drainage issues can still cause long-term harm.

If you miss the growth windows, you miss the chance to shape, strengthen, and prepare your landscape for the year ahead. That’s why an Annual Landscape Maintenance Plan is essential. Here’s what to do – and when.

Spring: Reset and Revive

Spring is prime time for growth and recovery after winter. What to Do:

• Run your irrigation system through a full cycle – twice a year, watch it run from start to finish. Some leaks or misaligned heads take minutes to appear. Consider upgrading to a Hydrawise® smart controller for remote monitoring and early leak detection.
• Bed clean-up and heavy pruning – cut back ornamental grasses, remove winter freeze damage, and prune evergreen shrubs to remove old, shabby growth.
• Feed for growth and blooms – follow pruning with a nutrient-rich fertilization application. Healthy plants have more energy to put on vibrant blooms.
• Mulch refresh – give beds a clean, polished look for the season and help soil retain moisture as temperatures rise.
• Fertilize and improve soil health – boost turf and planting beds with balanced nutrients.

Why This Matters: This is one of your two major growth windows – skipping it means weaker plants all year.

Summer: Protect and Perfect

Hot months are all about reducing stress and catching pest problems before they spread. What to Do:

• Maintain weekly mowing, weeding, and bed care.
• Walk your yard once a week – even small changes, like a dry patch or struggling plant, can be an early sign of trouble. Act immediately; summer problems spread fast.
• Monitor irrigation performance closely – leaks or dry spots can appear in days.
• Watch for insect activity – chinch bugs, armyworms, and other pests thrive in summer heat and can damage turf in days.

Why This Matters: Insect damage in summer can destroy lawns and beds quickly. Regular walks and fast action protect your spring gains.

Fall: Prepare and Plant

Fall is the second major growth season – and a key chance to prepare plants for winter. What to Do:

• Clear beds of leaves, spent blooms, and summer debris to reduce fungal risk.
• Prune for structure and health – as temps cool, this may be your last pruning until spring. Avoid heavy winter pruning so plants can heal before a freeze.
• Apply fertilization and overseeding to strengthen turf and fill in bare spots.
• Install new plants – cooler weather and warm soil help roots establish before summer heat.
• Mulch refresh – most homeowners like to refresh mulch in fall so their yard looks its best for holiday gatherings and outdoor entertaining.
• Maintain landscape lighting for shorter days.
• Monitor for fungal diseases like brown patch, which are common in cooler, wetter weather. Treat at the first sign to prevent spread.

Why This Matters: Skipping fall prep means plants head into winter weaker and less prepared for spring’s growth burst.

Winter: Protect and Preserve

Growth slows, but freeze damage, drainage problems, and fungal diseases can still threaten your landscape. What to Do:

• Winterize your irrigation system and insulate exposed parts.
• Avoid heavy pruning; only remove dead or damaged branches.
• Inspect drainage areas to prevent pooling from winter rains.
• Maintain outdoor lighting for safety and visibility.
• Watch for winter fungal activity in lawns, especially in shaded or consistently wet areas.

Why This Matters: Preventing fungal and freeze damage now ensures plants start spring healthy and ready to grow.

Season	Main Goal	Key Actions
Spring	Growth push	Full irrigation run-through, heavy pruning, freeze damage removal, feeding, fertilization, mulch refresh
Summer	Stress reduction & insect control	Weekly yard walks, irrigation checks, watch for insect activity
Fall	Growth push & prep for winter	Clean beds, final pruning, fertilize/overseed, new plant installations, monitor for fungal disease, mulch refresh for holiday-ready curb appeal
Winter	Damage prevention & fungus watch	Irrigation freeze protection, selective pruning, drainage checks, lighting upkeep, monitor for winter fungus

Final Word

A beautiful yard isn’t built in a weekend – it’s maintained in every season. By understanding Texas growth cycles and timing your care to match them, you protect your investment and keep your landscape looking its best. With Archer Services’ Premium Annual Maintenance Plan, we handle it all – from irrigation monitoring and pruning to fertilization, seasonal enhancements, and lighting upkeep – so your yard thrives year-round without you lifting a finger.