If this is necessary, only water the sparser patches that need to build extra growth, not the whole lawn. Lawn care needs a full-circle plan. Its not a good idea to abruptly stop watering if you want your lawn to come back strong in the spring. In South Carolina, as the weather starts to get colder in late fall to early winter, you should only water your lawn if rainfall becomes absent. Here in Houston, winter presents its own set of challenges for caring for a lawn. You will see your lawn go into sleep or dormancy if you do not water it. Let the Houston Public Media newsroom help you start your day. Experts recommend setting your sprinklers for a 4 am shower . Loamy soil with more clay tends to hold moisture much better, but it does not drain as well, so overwatering is a real risk. However, it remains warm through September and October, so well into fall Texas ground temperatures are high enough to call for watering. In a normal summer, water customers can irrigate their lawns between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. EPA puts pause on Texas-bound shipment of toxic water from train derailment 'This process of dumping toxic waste in communities without prior notice to local cities and counties has to stop,' a U . Follow these steps to prepare the lawn for winter and ensure the, Continue to water the lawn so that it has enough moisture to sustain the winter, Aerate the soil to encourage oxygen and nutrient growth, Mow the lawn shorter gradually towards the colder months to avoid shocking the lawn, Fertilize the lawn to give it the extra nutrients it needs to survive the winter, Apply herbicides to protect the lawn from hearty weeds during the vulnerable months of winter, For a happy and hardy lawn, call Green Bee Lawn Care at. On average, it will take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. Blowing off the rules at Stage Four means a fine starting at a grand or higher this in addition to surcharges tacked on to your next several water bills. So, start judging how much rain you are receiving starting in either October or November. Grass dries out much more quickly in the summer heat. When it . Use at least 3" - 6" of organic mulch in all flower, shrub and garden bed areas to reduce watering frequency. The fact is watering your lawn in the fall is just as important as the rest of the year. Certain counties may add their own sales tax to, Sugar and cotton were two of the most widely cultivated crops, grown on plantations that relied heavily if not exclusively upon enslaved labor. Varieties including fescue and Kentucky blue need a lot more water. Chinch bugs are treated with an insecticide spray. This can be measured with a can placed in the yard to collect water as you run your sprinkler or stand out there with a hose. Give Your Lawn a Drink. The publication discusses soil types, grass varieties, management practices, and watering techniques. Water slowly so that the moisture soaks into the soil and you dont waste water with runoff. Especially avoid watering late in the day or at night, since the grass blades will stay wet all night long, encouraging . Commercial lawn irrigation recommends watering all lawn zones at least 30 minutes, and spraying the spray zones at least 10 minutes. Its important not to miss those allowed watering days, which could result in the grass drying out. 0000205977 00000 n . However, these dates are only an approximation, so keep an eye on the weather to decide on a more firm date. The grass blades turn yellow at the edges of the patches and brown within the patches. How Much Does it Cost to Stain a Deck in 2023? Need help with your landscaping? Throughout October, watering should remain completely regular, and past this, a slightly more irregular schedule, perhaps once per week, may be suitable. Some weeds can take over because they are better able to survive the stress of winter. Another tip: water your lawn earlier in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun is weakest. Water is a limited resource in Texas. As important as it is to water your lawn in the fall until the ground freezes, its just as important not to overwater it. Knowing how to prepare the lawn for winter ensures the yard will be an outdoor sanctuary all year long BBQs are tastier, lawn games are more fun, and dogs are happier. If its a cold winter, no. Theres nothing like a healthy, green lawn, and I always want it to look that way. If it is enough, you can stop watering unless there appears to be a dry winter. The alternative is organic fertilizers, which release slowly and are less likely to damage lawns. Keeping the soil less compact allows for greater water penetration down to the roots. Its important to keep the right grass length to maintain a healthy and stress-free lawn. If an employee is not paid on a payday for any reason, including the employees, While freezes usually end for all of Texas by at least the end of March, Texas has seen freezes into early to mid-April. Conserving water goes beyond saving money, it ensures clean water for generations to come. Houston, TX 77063 713-395-9700 713-600-5999. 0000003890 00000 n 'This is a critical time that should be . The mulch should be spread throughout your yard evenly. Stage Three violations can cost you $500 at the very least (up to $2,000). Violating Houstons drought contingency plan rules during dry periods can cost you! The expense, hassle, and inconvenience of wading through the paperwork far outweigh that of sticking to the citys water conservation plan. City officials said samples were collected and will be tested. For the first three and last three months of the year, five hours every 10 days will normally do the trick. Never water when temperatures are below 40 or when snow, ice, or frost are present, as this can result in frozen grass, which can be damaging or even deadly to your lawn. However, it is also important not to overwater. Chemical fertilizers can have an adverse effect on your yard during the summer causing a burning effect. to speak with a lawn care expert today! Watering your lawn on a proper schedule is probably the single most important aspect of Texas lawn care. Should I still water my lawn in the fall? How Long to Water St. Augustine Grass in Texas. This is actually its most important feeding of the year, so if you only feed it once, do so in the fall. It is also best to remember to water the grass during the early morning to give it the whole day to dry out before the night. Even during the fall, grassroots will keep growing; in fact, the fall is an extremely important time of growth for grassroots. Try to stay diligent to the one inch per week of water guideline. During the middle of the year, running your sprinkler for about two hours every other day will typically keep your grass healthy. Even though it may seem counterintuitive to mow your lawn during the winter, it's actually a great way to keep your grass healthy. Diseases can set in if your lawn is receiving too much moisture. Water is vital in the winter months when there is not adequate rainfall. Once you start seeing signs of damage in your grass then its more than likely too late for any reparative action. When daytime temperatures in the Houston area are in the 70s and 80s, the typical watering schedule for turf and landscapes means giving the lawn about 1 to 1.5 inches per week. This 1-hour course exposes learners to information regarding The Texas Watershed Steward (TWS) Program. As the old saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Repeating this until germination is critical; when seedlings have grown to at least 2 inches, cut back the watering to once per day. It is prudent to check the type of grass in your yard before taking any serious steps. At this point, grass will enter its dormant season until approximately mid-March. The general rule of thumb is to keep the grass roughly the same height as a soda can turned on its side. Normally, this is not a problem because the main shut-off, zone valves and heads are below ground and stay relatively insulated. Again, it's all about getting that optimal amount of water down (one to two inches per week). If your lawn is receiving at least one inch of water per week during the autumn months, then you do not have to water it. Keeping it in good health is good for the central Texas ecosystem. Then don't water again until the grass shows symptoms of drought stressa dull, bluish color, rolled or folded leaves, and . Follow these steps to prepare the lawn for winter and ensure the Bermuda grass stays happy and healthy: Winter lawn care is an important step that homeowners can take to ensure a healthy and vibrant summer lawn. What is Overseeding a Lawn and When to Do it. How Much Does it Cost to Install Ductwork in 2023? Plus, of course, what Mother Nature doles out, so my basic irrigation schedule takes temperatures and rainfall into consideration. You Can Also Call Us at (512) 797-1640, Copyright 2023 Grass Works Lawn Care - Austin TX, General Clean Ups/Yard Cleanups/Leaf Removal, Sprinkler / Irrigation Repairs & Installation, Commercial Mowing, Maintenance & Service Agreements. Overseeding in the fall can help protect it from becoming susceptible to these threats by creating a more robust turf. Houston, Texas is considered a mild climate with very little annual change in temperature. By Kristine Cummings / August 15, 2022. Do you need to winterize your sprinkler system in Texas? This can alter for different cultivars of St. Augustine though. Early morning is by far the best time to water. 0000039669 00000 n This booklet explains how homeowners can establish a water management program for a home lawn that both maintains a healthy sod and also conserves water. The plan, all voluntary, calls for a decrease in outdoor watering and limits it to twice a week, between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. The best test is to stick a spade down a few inches to see if there's any moisture. Once the ground freezes, water is incapable of penetrating the surface and being absorbed by the plants roots. Consult with your lawn care pro, as some regions benefit from only aerating in fall. Here's when to fertilize zoysia grass: Fertilizer should be applied in 3-6 applications, starting from spring " green up ". Water won't penetrate once the ground freezes. A lot of the most popular sod is a blend of grasses, including Kentucky blue, rye, and fescue. When the air and soil temperatures consistently fall below 40 F, its time to stop watering. Its not uncommon for our clients to ask should I water my lawn in the winter? For an automatic irrigation system, Austin allows one day per week between the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. to midnight. Tags boil water notice Houston ISD Houston Public Works water. Fortunately, we have lots of modern tools to help us know about this condition in advance, so you can plan for the all-important seasonal sprinkler blowout and keep all of your underground piping and sprinkler heads from bursting in the freeze. Normally, turf and landscapes in the Houston area do fine with 1-1 . As seen in Forbes, CNBC and USA Today, LawnStarter makes it easy to schedule service with a local lawn care professional. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is abruptly cutting off the grass watering routine the moment the weather changes and the leaves start dropping. This will avoid potential fungal growth from having wet grass after nightfall. The grass will experience higher stress during the winter months due to lower moisture and colder temperatures. Remember that the days are shorter, and the sun doesnt hold its intensity for nearly as long as the summer months. Next youll want to fertilize the lawn to ensure it grows in rich and lush. Know that your lawn is benefiting from the sprinklers. Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help. In colder parts of the country, this will happen part way through fall. The best time to water your Texas lawn is in the early morning. How Often to Water Grass in North Texas. Rainfall is best, but when it's not raining, you can set up your sprinkler to run during Houston's schedule of watering hours. If you take care of your lawn each season, it will green up in the spring healthy and lush without your having to break your back or your budget. During the summer, we typically recommend watering three to four days per week to achieve that . When the ground is frozen, the water wont make it down to the root zone because the hard, frozen soil acts as a barrier. The trick to having a lush and healthy lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood this summer just takes care and attention. If there's one thing that winter will do to your Houston lawn, it's compact it. Swanson said more than 29,000 homeowners currently subscribe to the program . Repeating this until germination is critical; when seedlings have grown to at least 2 inches, cut back the watering to once per day. An aerobic septic system, or aerobic treatment unit (ATU), uses oxygen to breakdown both dissolved and solid constituents into gases, cell mass, and non-degradable material contained in wastewater. Beginning in either November or December, you can begin to taper off watering altogether. You should Winterize your sprinkler system in Southern Texas if the temperatures are expected to drop below 32 degrees. Its a given for most of us. Grass really puts down roots at the end of its growing season, and these deeper roots are the reason why a more established lawn needs less water on the hottest day of summer, which is a good thing. By simply setting a timer, you can get your grass watered at the best time and sleep in too. The most common weeds that Texas homeowners struggle with include chickweed, henbit, annual bluegrass, clover, purple deadnettle, and dallisgrass. Wikilawns mission is to provide the best resources and information to help you enjoy your outdoor spaces the way you want. Is Texas A Good State For Rental Property? 0000001127 00000 n Tile Roof vs. Shingle Roof: What Are the Differences? 10 Pallet Garden Ideas to Bring New Life to Your Yard, Why Dog Pee Kills Your Grass (and How to Fix your Lawn), How to Protect Grass from an Inflatable Pool. If it is difficult to push the tool in, then the yard needs more moisture. This is because, after the intense heat of summer, the fall is when your lawn can begin to repair from the stress the heat will have caused and begin to grow. This will be sometime between October and December, based on where you live, and typically means you need to start preparing for winter. Next, use a selective herbicide to tackle winter lawn weeds. HWn$:=%$@hrl?"2e]$_KXJrkJK~-,/,wA k. water until its full. So make sure to take this step in late fall, before the ground freezes, to avoid adding additional stress to the lawn. your lawn is 5,000 square feet, it will need 33 pounds of 15-5-10 fertilizer. Because of the harsh Texas climate, many residents are unsure of the best lawn watering schedule to follow. Fortunately for your water bill, your lawn will only require about inch of rainfall each week for you to have to do any watering. As a general rule, running the water for about 45 minutes to 1 hour is often enough to help protect your foundation from cracking or moving. These materials include paints, pesticides, solvents, cleaning fluids, and unused medicines. Rutkowski said tight water restrictions are making it difficult to care for lawns as temperatures linger in the 100s for weeks on end. 0000018165 00000 n As a result, it is critical to thoroughly and evenly apply the water throughout the lawn. Visit our Houston lawn care page for more information! While summer may be over, theres still a lot of work to do to keep the lawn happy and healthy during the winter. How Much Does Sprinkler Repair Cost in 2023. %PDF-1.3 % First, follow the list above to prepare the lawn for winter with overseeding, aeration, and fertilization. How long should I water each zone in Texas? What is Weed Control and When to Apply It? The last sighting of snow in Houston was in 2010 and it was only a trace, but we cant scoff at the possibility of real winter weather. Businesses and the like can water the grass on Tuesdays and Fridays. Green Bee Lawn Care 9206 Thomasville Dr. Houston, TX 77064 Phone: (832) 678-5900 Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm Saturday 9 am - 3pm Sunday Closed . Leave grass clippings on the lawn to help maintain moisture. Too much water can be wasteful and damage harmful to the life span of the grass. This fertilization should be done in the late spring in anticipation of the summer, and then sparingly during the warmer months. Again, its all about getting that optimal amount of water down (one to two inches per week). 0000004368 00000 n Overseed after aerating and youll be shoring up your lawns foundation before winter comes. It is important to keep the regular watering up until at least Thanksgiving, longer if the weather still has remained warm. While you may be eager to get your lawn back to its pristine green state, it is important to remember that temperatures at and below 32 degrees Fahrenheit put your sprinkler system at risk of freezing. The fall, while the air is cool but the soil still warm, is the best time to overseed: sow additional grass seed over parts of the lawn where the grass is thin or where there are bare patches. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. This course provides 4 hours of continuing education units for Texas Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, and others who self-report. This fast spreading annual broadleaf weed takes its name from its popularity with chickens. It's not a good idea to abruptly stop watering if you want your lawn to come back strong in the spring. Frequent, short watering encourages shallow roots, unhealthy grass plants and turf susceptible to drought and disease. Same as it would be in the summer, over watering grass is harmful to your lawn. Dont shut off your irrigation system too early. Watering To keep your lawn healthy, water it only when the grass needs it. Healthy grass grows the most in the autumn, so its critical to not only water but also fertilize your lawn all through the beginning of fall. However, stop watering as soon as the first frost sets in. To avoid shocking the lawn by mowing it short when winter hits, start cutting it shorter each time you mow. Homeowners whose addresses end in even numbers can water on Sundays and Thursdays. This means in many cases, you can stop watering your lawn during the winter, but only as long as you are receiving at least one and a half inches of rain during every winter month. This is why cold northern winters are said to create desert conditions. Fungal diseases may take hold if your lawn is . Diseases can set in if your lawn is receiving too much moisture. Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you within a few hours. 0000024742 00000 n 0000001790 00000 n 0000129955 00000 n The summer months are also a time when youre likely to see more pests and insects in your lawn as tiny creatures search out for water. The fall months in Nebraska do not mean you can cut off your watering schedule. Do I need to take steps for weed control in the winter? Houston, TX 77027. To help your lawn stay healthy throughout the winter, the quantity of watering necessary is less than during the summer months. An automatic sprinkler system can make this part easy. 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