5 Signs It's Time to Stop Watering Your Lawn for the Winter
By Marnie Kunz,
2 days ago
Plus, seasonal maintenance tips.
Digital Hallway/Getty Images
Fall brings cooler weather and glimpses of winter ahead. And that means your landscaping habits will need a bit of tweaking—by adjusting your lawn care routine in the fall, you can protect your grass from winter’s wrath and enjoy a vibrant spring.
If you’re wondering when to stop watering your lawn and how to prepare it for winter , gardening gurus weigh in with their tips to help keep your lawn healthy and prepared for a lush spring ahead.
As the weather turns cold, your grass will become dormant, and you won’t need to water it. The right time to stop watering your lawn depends on location and climate. Generally, a good benchmark is when temperatures drop below 50°F, which is usually in October for places with cold winters.
“You should stop watering your lawn when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F during the day,” says Zahid Adnan, founder of the Plant Bible. “By this time, most grasses, especially cool-season varieties , will start to enter dormancy and require less water.”
Also, consider nighttime temperatures. When the thermometer hits freezing for three nights in a row, it’s a sign to stop watering your lawn. “I recommend stopping irrigation at this point,” says Scott McLeod, owner of McLeod Landscaping. “The grass has gone dormant and will not absorb additional moisture, so watering can promote disease.”
“A sign that it’s time to reduce or stop watering is slower grass growth and cooler, more humid conditions,” Adnan said. “You may also notice the soil retaining more moisture as evaporation decreases in fall. If you see yellowing or browning patches, this can be a sign of dormancy, not drought, so it’s time to cut back on watering.”
When you stop watering your lawn in the fall, cut back gradually, going for longer stretches without watering as the temperatures cool. However, if you live in a warm climate that does not experience cold winters, your grass will keep growing year-round and will require watering throughout the winter months.
Fall Lawn Care Tips
A healthy lawn is not exclusive to warm weather—follow the below tips to maintain your landscape as the weather transitions to cooler temperatures.
Cut Grass to a Medium Length
Prepare your lawn for winter by mowing it to a medium length, which will keep it protected during the colder months.
“If the grass is too short , the roots can be exposed to freezing temperatures, making them more susceptible to winter damage,” Adnan says. “Leaving the grass too long, however, can encourage fungal diseases due to moisture buildup." He recommends a medium length because it allows the grass to stay protected but it's not so thick it'll trap excess moisture.
Once your grass stops growing for the season, cut it to 2 or 3 inches to prepare for winter. In colder areas, trim the grass to a shorter length, McLeod advises.
“For fall preparation, continue mowing until growth ceases, then cut the grass down to 2 to 3 inches,” McLeod says. “This protects the crown over winter while allowing some sunlight to reach the lawn." In colder climates, cut the grass shorter, around 2 inches. Longer grass can mat down under snow, suffocating the lawn. Keep the grass at 3 inches in warmer regions to help insulate the soil during dormancy.
Remove Leaves Regularly
Remove leaves and debris from your lawn to allow sunlight and air to penetrate the grass. Rake regularly and use a leaf blower if you need help clearing your lawn. “Clear fallen leaves from your lawn regularly,” Adnan says. “A thick layer of leaves can suffocate your grass by blocking sunlight and trapping moisture, leading to disease.”
Aerate Your Lawn
Aerate your lawn in the fall to help your grass develop stronger roots and weather the coming winter months. “Fall is the perfect time to aerate your lawn,” Adnan says. “This process relieves soil compaction, improves root development, and allows nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil.”
Core aeration uses a lawn aerator machine to remove thousands of small pieces of soil and thatch from your lawn. According to McLeod, this process allows nutrients and water to penetrate, improving the root system and health of your grass.
Fertilize Now for Spring
Fertilize your lawn in the fall to promote healthy root growth and strengthen the grass before winter weather hits. "Applying a slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer in early fall helps the grass build up nutrients for winter,” Adnan says. “This ensures healthy growth in spring.”
When to fertilize your lawn depends on the climate where you live. If you're in a place with cold winters, an earlier fall fertilization is best. If your climate includes mild winters, on the other hand, fertilizing in late fall will work better. “Apply a winterizing fertilizer 4 to 6 weeks before the first hard freeze,” McLeod suggests.
Overseed in Early Fall
You can cultivate a lush spring lawn by overseeding in the fall. Overseeding will help fill in any gaps in your lawn and allows grass to establish healthy root systems before winter conditions strike.
“If your lawn has bare patches, overseeding in the fall can help thicken the grass, ensuring better coverage in the spring,” Adnan says. Early fall is the best time to overseed and promote healthy grass growth while the weather is still mild.
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