Weeds are one of the biggest headaches for Texas commercial property owners. They ruin the clean look of flower beds and borders, choke out healthy plants, and make a well-kept landscape look messy. Hot Texas weather, irregular rain, and poor soil conditions worsen weed problems.
The good news? With the right tips for weed control, you can prevent weeds from taking over. Pre-emergent treatments and root-targeting herbicides, combined with proper planting and regular maintenance, help prevent weeds from returning. This ensures your property stays clean, sharp, and professional all year.
Why Weeds Are a Serious Problem
Weeds thrive in Texas heat because they grow faster than grass and plants can recover. Without care, they quickly choke out healthy plants and ruin curb appeal.
Weeds do more than look bad. They:
- Steal water and nutrients from your plants
- Reduce curb appeal and property value
- Increase maintenance costs and labor time
Texas conditions accelerate weed growth. Even a few days without care can turn a neat flower bed into a weed-filled mess. Overgrown beds can also attract pests, create safety hazards, and give the impression that your property is poorly maintained.
Poor maintenance can cost more than money. Dead grass, overgrown trees, and pests lower your property's value, and fixing mistakes gets expensive. Improper irrigation alone can raise your water bills by 20–40%, and replacing a mature tree can cost $1,000–$5,000 each.
Common Weeds in Texas Beds and Borders
Commercial landscapes in Texas face both broadleaf and grassy weeds.
- Broadleaf weeds: Dandelion, chickweed
- Grassy weeds: Crabgrass, dallisgrass
These weeds grow fast in bare soil, poor mulch coverage, and overwatered areas. If your beds look thin and patchy or weeds appear near plant bases, you need to act immediately.
Weeds grow quickly in October and fall, making this a key time to target them before winter dormancy.
How to Prevent Weeds from Growing
Texas lawns face tough conditions. Hot sun, dry spells, and unpredictable rain make weeds thrive where grass and plants struggle. The best defense is building a healthy landscape that stops weeds before they even start.
Follow these steps to keep your yard weed-free:
1. Lay landscape fabric in bare or problem areas
It forms a barrier that blocks weed roots while still letting water and air reach the soil. For best results, cover the fabric with mulch or soil to secure it and improve its appearance.
2. Choose dense, hardy plants that love Texas heat
Go for native groundcovers, ornamental grasses, or drought-tolerant perennials. Their thick roots and leaves fill open soil, leaving no room for weeds to grow.
3. Build healthy soil with compost or organic matter
Mixing compost into heavy Texas clay improves drainage and moisture retention. Strong roots and nutrient-rich soil help your plants outcompete weeds naturally.
4. Water deeply but less often
Shallow watering encourages weeds with short roots. Deep, consistent watering helps grass and plants develop strong roots and keeps the soil stable.
5 Best Weed Control Tips for Texas Landscapes
Even with the best care, weeds can still appear. These 5 simple steps help you control them fast and keep your beds healthy.
1. Use Post-Emergent Herbicides
Apply post-emergent herbicides directly to problem areas. They target existing weeds and stop roots from spreading.
2. Hand-Pull Small Weeds Early
Pull small weeds before they grow deep roots. Removing them early saves hours of future maintenance.
3. Refresh Mulch and Add Compost
A 2–3-inch layer of mulch blocks sunlight and locks in moisture. Mixing compost improves soil health and boosts root strength.
4. Replant Bare Spots Quickly
Bare soil invites weeds. Fill gaps with hardy plants or groundcovers to crowd out new growth.
5. Strengthen Soil with Compost
Healthy soil helps your plants compete naturally with weeds. Add compost to improve texture, boost nutrients, and strengthen root systems. This simple step helps reduce weed growth naturally.
Professional landscapers often combine targeted herbicide treatments with manual removal and soil improvement to ensure long-term, root-deep control.
Timing Is Everything
Most Texas weeds start germinating when soil temperatures hit around 55 to 70°F. Apply pre-emergent herbicides before that window, usually in early spring and late fall, for the best prevention. A few weeks of delay can make a big difference in results.
Soil, Mulch, and Watering for Weed-Free Flower Beds
Strong soil, good mulch, and correct irrigation are critical for flower bed weed control:
- Mulch: Use hardwood or pine bark, 2–3 inches thick, and replace each season
- Soil: Aerate and add organic matter to strengthen roots
- Watering: Avoid overwatering. Use drip irrigation to target roots, not weeds.
Irrigation mistakes that cause weed growth include overwatering, soaking bare soil, and ignoring seasonal changes. Proper soil and irrigation improve plant health and make weeds easier to manage. Incorrect watering alone can increase costs by up to 40% and worsen weed problems.
Seasonal Weed Control Plan
Weed control is continuous. A seasonal approach works best:
- Spring: Apply pre-emergent herbicides and refresh mulch
- Summer: Spot treat weeds and Edge beds
- Fall: Clean beds and improve soil health
- Winter: Inspect beds and plan for the next year
Regular inspections catch weeds early, reduce labor, and prevent costly infestations. Even in October, fall spraying helps target roots while weeds store nutrients, making control more effective for spring.
How to Choose the Right Professional
A commercial property often needs expert help. When hiring, ask:
- Are you licensed and insured?
- What products and techniques do you use?
- Do you provide follow-up visits and long-term care?
Also, ask whether they perform irrigation audits or soil testing. Skilled landscapers adjust watering systems and soil nutrients to reduce weed-friendly conditions.
Learn more about what makes a landscape maintenance company stand out to pick the right team for your property. The right team protects your investment, keeps beds healthy, borders sharp, and ensures your property looks professional.
Professional landscapers use a combination of root-killing herbicides, pre-emergents, and dense plant coverage to permanently reduce weed growth.
Keep Your Texas Commercial Beds Weed-Free
Weeds don't have to take over. Following these tips for weed control and working with experts keeps your property clean, green, and inviting. Permanent weed control requires proactive care, proper irrigation, and sometimes professional intervention, not just surface treatments.
Contact Brookway Landscape & Irrigation today for proven solutions for Texas commercial landscapes.
We help commercial properties across Texas, from Dallas to Houston, keep landscapes weed-free year-round. Protect your investment, reduce maintenance costs, and make your landscape a professional showcase.
