SAN ANTONIO – Summer is fast approaching, and you'll know it's here when San Antonio lawns begin to rapidly turn from green to brown.
It may sound scary and non-traditional, but have you ever considered replacing your garden with native ground covers?
A common question we get from our viewers is, “How do I keep my lawn healthy in the summer?”
There are two main reasons why your grass starts to die during the summer.
The heat and drought mean your grass will quickly die no matter how much water you give it. It's a losing battle.
Most lawns are planted with exotic grasses such as Bermudagrass or St. Augustine grass (these are the most common types of grass purchased for lawns at big box stores).
These invasive grasses have short roots that aren't designed to survive extreme heat or drought. The shorter the roots, the less tolerant they are to drought and extreme weather.
So what happens if you plant something other than grass as your “lawn”?
KSAT12's Sarah Acosta did just that last fall. She planted a native ground cover called frogfruit, which is a lot prettier than grass. Frogfruit is a native ground cover that spreads vigorously and produces tiny white and purple flowers that pollinators love. And the best part: once established, it stays green all summer with very little watering.
Frogfruit stays green even during droughts with little water because native plants have long roots that reach deep into the soil in search of water and can survive drought. Invasive grasses, such as St. Augustine and Bermuda grass, have short roots and need constant watering to stay alive.
Another plus for our friends in the Hill Country is that they are “supposed” to be deer resistant, although nothing is 100% resistant.
Frogfruit grows from fall through winter. Because it is native, it can survive freezes. There is no need to cover it if it freezes. Just plant it once and it will die back in winter but come back healthy in the spring.
Homeowners associations are becoming more flexible when it comes to replacing lawns with native ground covers and native flower beds because it's a much more sustainable option.
A low-growing, green native ground cover that blooms in summer and remains green is far more attractive than a patch of brown soil that drought restrictions mean you're not allowed to water.
Here are some before and after pictures: Previously, there was a swath of sad “Bermuda?” grass that was always brown and basically dirt-like from May through October.
Previously, it was a sad patch of dirt and “Bermuda” grass. (Copyright 2024 by KSAT – All Rights Reserved.)
In September, I planted 24 pint-sized containers of Frogfruit that I got from Pollinatives (a local nursery that carries all native plants) Feel free to check them out at Converse.
I planted frogfruit in September. It's 12 pint-sized plants. (Copyright 2024 by KSAT – All rights reserved.)
Immediately after planting in the fall, I watered the frogfruit plants thoroughly at least twice a week until they were established. I watered them very little in the winter, and they went dormant after the first frost.
After planting frogfruit in May 2024. (Copyright 2024 by KSAT – All rights reserved.)
In the spring it bounced back with vigor and didn't need any watering at all until May when the heat started to set in. I've been watering it generously about once a week.
Rainbow Gardens also carries frogfruit, which you can find in their ground covers and native plants section.
Yes, you can mow or weed the grass if it gets too long. After planting, wait until the grass has established throughout the fall before mowing.
Wait until the plant has finished flowering before mowing in the spring, otherwise it may take a long time to recover. I highly recommend weeding, as you can always mow the grass without damaging it, especially if you don't cut it at the base.
Copyright 2024 by KSAT – All rights reserved.
