As the colder weather approaches, now is the time to plan for a healthy, green lawn come springtime. If you live in Texas, it’s important to know the best ways to prepare your lawn for the fall and winter season.
Preparing your lawn is easy when you follow some basic steps for proper fertilization and weed control alongside your watering and soil maintenance program. This guide outlines the best ways to make your lawn a lush focal point by following these winterizing tips below.
5 Steps to Ready Your Lawn for Fall and Winter
To keep a green lawn, the best approach is to create a lawn maintenance plan and stick to it. As the grass prepares to go dormant during the fall and winter, focus on these critical steps:
1. Adjust Mower Blades
Lawn experts recommend keeping your grass a few inches long during the summer to help keep roots cool and protect delicate new growth. However, as fall approaches, it’s time to lower your mower blades.
Why is this important? Shorter grass forces the roots to grow deep and spread as grass growth tapers off in the fall, which helps develop thick, new growth come spring. Just ensure not to cut too low to avoid leaving bald spots on your lawn.
2. Rake
Clearing away leaf build-up throughout the fall months is essential for a lush lawn. Thick layers of leaves can block sunlight and retain moisture, leading to mold or fungus that can damage or kill your grass.
Before winter sets in, make sure to rake your lawn one last time to ensure it’s free of leaves and debris that could hinder new grass growth in the spring.
3. Fertilize
In Texas, late fall is the ideal time to fertilize your lawn. After your final raking and before the first frost, apply a slow-release fertilizer over your grass. Fertilizing in the fall nourishes the root system with essential minerals as the granules break down during the winter months, leading to vigorous growth in spring.
If you’re facing a weed issue, look for a fertilizer plus weed control mix that’s suitable for your type of grass.
4. Water
While fall and winter can bring moisture that keeps your soil hydrated—ideal for breaking down fertilization and weed control granules—it’s essential to regularly water your lawn during dry spells in these colder months to maintain optimal soil moisture levels.
Keeping the soil adequately moist prevents the roots from wilting, which can lead to patchy growth come spring. Remember, dormant grass is still alive and requires care!
5. Remove Large/Heavy Objects
To avoid damaging your lawn, remove any large objects that cut off sunlight and airflow, which inhibit new growth. This includes:
- Lawn furniture
- Yard ornaments
- Playhouses and toys
- Portable fire pits
- Grills
- Trash cans
Leaving items on your lawn throughout the fall and winter can hinder the grass’s ability to recover and flourish when spring arrives.
Enjoy a Greener Lawn
By incorporating these tips into your fall and winter lawn maintenance program, you can achieve tremendous results in how healthy and vibrant your lawn looks year-round.
No one wants a patchy lawn filled with brown spots that detract from the beauty of their landscape design. Taking the time to prepare your yard for fall and winter will ensure you enjoy a greener lawn each spring and summer!
If you have any questions about lawn maintenance or prefer to leave it in the hands of experts, please contact our team of professionals to explore the variety of landscape design and lawn care services we offer.
