Posted on September 30, 2020 by Lawn Doctor
From complimenting your front yard’s aesthetic to providing a cushioned setting for family fun and activities, your lawn has been there for you all summer long. Now it is your turn to be there for you lawn. Proper autumn lawn care is vital in maintaining a healthy and visually appealing yard year-round. Learn the fall watering guide fundamentals of when and how to water your grass, and when to stop watering lawn, including tips for maintenance during this transition to winter.
During the blistering summer months, lawns need adequate watering in order to maintain its lush green color and concentrated feel. As fall approaches, it is time to modify your watering schedule for the cooler climate proceeding.
If you want your lawn to come back strong in the spring, don’t abruptly stop your watering habits. Even though you have probably started wearing close-toed shoes and jackets, wait until there are consistent freezing temperatures. Continue to water your lawn a few times a week as the weather slightly warms from the brisk mornings, still. Once this shift dissolves into permanent low temperatures, check for ground freezing to indicate when to stop watering the lawn. . Any water distributed will be blocked from reaching the grass roots due to the frigid barrier. In addition to the change in weather, days are shorter, offering less sunlight to grass. The decrease in sunshine slows down the water evaporation process, requiring much less water.
Where you are geographically located determines the amount of organic water available to your lawn. Dryer environments will require continuous and manual work to water grass in fall, while wetter landscapes offer a hand at watering. Understanding which climate is relevant to your situation will help you to know how much you should be adding to the equation.
Believe it or not, overwatering grass is much more common than underwatering it. How could this be? Climates that receive rainfall have the added amount that the environment produces. Irrigation systems also have an environmental impact on the natural water supply. The rule of thumb is, if you are receiving 1 inch or more of rainwater per week, don’t water additionally. If there is rainfall, decrease irrigation to offset the rainfall. Overatering will increase bacteria growth, causing fungal diseases to develop.
Mowing- As your lawn prepares to go dormant for the winter, growing of grass will slow down. Continuing to mow even though this is the case is an important part of autumn lawn care. Keep the lawn mower’s blade sharp and gradually lower the height between 2 – 2 ½ inches for humidity and moisture control maintenance.
Weed Control– Fall weather, with the decline in new growth, makes for the ideal environment for weeds. Begin in early fall to disrupt weed growth with overseeding and picking from the root. Additional unwanted leaves should be mulched or raked to decrease dead spots on the lawn. Check out Lawn Doctor’s slew of convenient care plans to ensure you won’t be stuck outside in the cold while the family is enjoying the indoor festivities.
Fertilizer and Aeration- Recover your lawn from the summer months of thinning, and strengthen your lawn for the winter months ahead by adding Turf Tamer Power Seeder, then water consistently so the seeds take root. These added nutrients will ensure robust growth come springtime, and act as a weed-blocker.
Sprinkler System- Altering water sprinkler system’s schedules is also a good idea based on the predicted and unexpected levels of irrigation and rainfall.
A common myth amongst communities of grass-lovers is that lawns don’t need to be watered during the fall months. In reality, fall is the perfect chance to recover your lawn from the blistering summer months of continual grass-treading activities. Continuous watering allows for regrowth and decreased winter stress that is vital for your lawn to bounce back with thicker foliage and healthier production than the previous year.
Ensure you not only water your lawn enough during this chilly season, but that you follow Lawn Doctor’s tips for not overwatering, and when to stop watering a lawn. There is a fine line with fall watering that can be made clear with expert green-thumb advice. For next steps on maintaining healthy landscapes–your lawn or even garden–year-round, including preparing for winter, check out our many lawn maintenance services.
Contact Lawn Doctor to help care for your lawn when you can’t.
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