Many homeowners think that the cooler fall weather is an excuse to stop watering their lawns. Do not be fooled! Watering in the fall is essential. This article explains why Dallas, TX homeowners should keep watering their lawns in the fall.
Why should I keep watering my lawn in the fall?
We all know the Dallas, Texas weather can change often. Maybe a little too often, so the first step to watering your lawn in the fall is to do so a few times a week if the sun is shining and there’s very little rain. You wouldn’t want your lawn to dry out completely!
Which, brings me to the next point. You should NEVER stop watering your lawn completely unless the ground is frozen, but if the lawn receives at least one inch of rain in a week, it’s safe to hold off on adding extra water until a dryer week comes along.
Do not overwater your lawn, especially during the fall! Lawn care in Autumn is about small touches here and there. The sun is not out as much, and the temperatures are not as brutal as the summer, so your landscaping doesn’t need to be drenched. Overwatering can lead to fungal diseases in your grass.
If you’ve just fertilized or laid new grass, keep the irrigation going on a regular schedule. This helps establish roots and promote growth before the harsh winter months.
The time of day you run your sprinklers or irrigation system is important as well. The morning is best because the grass has all day to soak up the sun and dry out before night comes. This is also why nighttime is the worst time to water your lawn because there is no sun to dry out the grass. It will stay damp all night and possibly provide the breeding ground for those fungal diseases mentioned earlier.
Why am I watering my lawn when it’s cold outside?
The reason you need to continue to water your lawn during the cooler months is that grass does not stop growing just because the temperatures drop. Autumn is the repair time of the season where grass grows underneath, in its roots, to establish a new foundation and area of repair for when the brutal heat hits again next summer. The only time you can stop watering your yard is if the ground freezes because when it thaws, the grass will be getting the water it needs.
In the end, the question is not, “When should I stop watering my lawn in the fall?” but rather, “How should I water my lawn in the fall?”. As you can see, manually or automatically taking care of your grass during the cooler months is essential to general lawn care. Doing so will help your yard look even better in the spring and summer!
If you are still struggling to get your grass through the fall and winter months, or if your irrigation system is not functioning properly, give CGreen’s Landscape Management a call! Our team of experts has been assisting Dallas homeowners for 40 years! Contact us to schedule a service today!