Since all sides of your foundation can suffer damage when it's hot, you'll need to have multiple soaker hoses. AG. Houston slips into fall almost unnoticed, until we realize the hot, humid days of summer are over. Memorial Day is a big time of year in the city of Houston. How Much is the Average Water Bill in 2023? Each time you water, it is generally recommended to water your yard so that the . 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 . Also, watering in the morning allows your grass to dry before nighttime, lessening the chance of disease creeping in. 41 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 43 /H [ 1182 386 ] /L 421620 /E 206220 /N 4 /T 420682 >> endobj xref 41 39 0000000016 00000 n Overseeding in the fall can help protect it from becoming susceptible to these threats by creating a more robust turf. If it has been recently aerated and seeded, attempt light, frequent watering twice daily until light puddling forms. Students will learn about the importance of water, the role of watersheds in the water cycle, and much more. Its also important to cut the grass with a sharp blade. 0000001182 00000 n When the fall season starts to arrive, most people start thinking about ordering a sprinkler system blowout and preparing for winter. Reduce Mowing for Deeper Roots. Rainfall is best, but when its not raining, you can set up your sprinkler to run during Houstons schedule of watering hours. The fact is watering your lawn in the fall is just as important as the rest of the year. you can measure each station with a cat food or tuna can. Loamy soil with more clay tends to hold moisture much better, but it does not drain as well, so overwatering is a real risk. In the winter, you can plan on watering your lawn in the morning, once a week. Commercial lawn irrigation recommends watering all lawn zones at least 30 minutes, and spraying the spray zones at least 10 minutes. 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. Some weeds can take over because they are better able to survive the stress of winter. If you water in the early morning hours, the grass can dry out during the day and before nightfall. So, remember when the temperatures start dropping to consider when your lawn is ready to go dormant, and save yourself time and money. To treat Brown Patch, our lawn specialists recommend that fungicides be applied every 28 days. Regular watering is the key to a great lawn and knowing when to stop watering grass is crucial to your lawns health and your utility bill. 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. Because the soil loses nutrients during the summer, its essential to replenish them over the winter. You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. Protecting the lawn from winter weeds can be done in a variety of ways. In general, its best to continue watering your grass during the fall. This is why the cold temperatures of northern winters are said to . During the harshest dry periods, the city of Houston will typically limit the times you can water your yard to two days a week and only at certain times. In this video, Houston Grass Owner Michael Romine talks about how long to water St. Augustine grass both newly laid sod and established . Since we don't get much snow in Houston, it's important to keep watering the lawn to provide the moisture needed to remain healthy through the winter. . 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. This online course will teach you how to properly maintain and operate your ATU. If its mild, then you can keep at it depending on the rainfall in your region. Cool-season grasses in the Los Angeles region will require about a half of an inch instead. Our professionals recommend you always following water restrictions, but also contemplate such parts to determine watering run times as well. All conservation and efficiency measures are aimed at reducing water use. Protecting the lawn from winter weeds can be done in a variety of ways. Another tip: water your lawn earlier in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun is weakest. Green Bee uses safe and effective weed control and prevention for Texas lawns to ensure vibrant, healthy lawns in the spring. Green Bee uses safe and effective. Love lawns as much as we do? When should you stop watering in the fall? You can topdress your lawn with about half an inch of compost every fall after its aerated. Same as it would be in the summer, over watering grass is harmful to your lawn. This will be sometime between October and December, based on where you live, and typically means you need to start preparing for winter. Typical yard bugs and pests native to Houston include: Aphids, Caterpillars, Fleas, Fire Ants, Chinch Bugs, Grubs, Mosquitoes, Spider Mites, Snails, Slugs and Beetles. Knowing when to stop watering your lawn in Texas mostly just comes down to being observant about temperatures, rainfall, the first freeze, and the condition of your lawn. When should I stop watering my lawn in Houston? Leave grass clippings on the lawn to help maintain moisture. If this is necessary, only water the sparser patches that need to build extra growth, not the whole lawn. In colder parts of the country, this will happen part way through fall. Watering To keep your lawn healthy, water it only when the grass needs it. Typically, preventative applications are made at 14 to 30 day intervals, depending upon the fungicide. First, follow the list above to prepare the lawn for winter with overseeding, aeration, and fertilization. Use at least 3" - 6" of organic mulch in all flower, shrub and garden bed areas to reduce watering frequency. 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. You should water one inch every 4-5 days in the summer. 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. First of all, its critical to take care of weed problems during the summer before theyre able to germinate and seed in the fall. Your water bills will drop and your lawn will be more resistant to fungus and other problems associated with over-watering. City officials said samples were collected and will be tested. Watch on. A closer cut, along with bagging grass clippings, will help remove thatch buildup and pull up . If there's one thing that winter will do to your Houston lawn, it's compact it. For the first three and last three months of the year, five hours every 10 days will normally do the trick. Thus to know when to properly apply weed n seed, you need to check your climate zone. When the ground is frozen, the water wont make it down to the root zone because the hard, frozen soil acts as a barrier. During this time, as the temperatures drop, the roots will grow, continuing to seek moisture. They typically attack lawns at the edges first, often near a sidewalk. Tile Roof vs. Shingle Roof: What Are the Differences? Diseases can set in if your lawn is receiving too much moisture. This can alter for different cultivars of St. Augustine though. This is the best time to enjoy the Houston heat before the August sun starts making us pine for the fall. Remember that the days are shorter, and the sun doesnt hold its intensity for nearly as long as the summer months. During the periods of prolonged winter drought, if the air temperature is above freezing and the soil isn't frozen, you should water every two or three weeks for 15 to 20 minutes - just enough to provide moisture to the crown and roots of the plants and counteract the drying effects of winter winds. This is why cold northern winters are said to create desert conditions. Watering grass in the fall is still necessary for Utah. For an eco-friendly solution, treat the patches with a baking soda spray. Again, it's all about getting that optimal amount of water down (one to two inches per week). Our warm-season grasses can be green into late fall but will go dormant once the temperatures stay below 60 degrees. You should not completely stop watering your lawn in the fall until the ground freezes. Your grass will need about 1 or 2 inches of water per week, including rainfall. So, lets take a close look at when you should stop watering grass in Texas. To help your lawn stay healthy throughout the winter, the quantity of watering necessary is less than during the summer months. This also ties in with maintaining the proper mowing schedule and grass height. It is still important to maintain a consistent watering schedule until the temperature drops low enough that the ground begins to freeze. Most Texas homeowners are aware they need to water through the hot summer, and often they will even plant their grass to thrive in the extreme heat. Wait until late winter or early spring (February March) and only trim off the dead, brown growth where it meets the new green coming up. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. It makes a lot of sense to educate yourself on the particular varieties that constitute your lawn so you can make an educated decision on when its time to stop the sprinklers for the year. Just because youre breaking out the jackets and boots doesnt mean its time to stop watering your lawn. Currently in Austin, the city is in Stage 1 water restrictions . With roughly 2.3 million people living and working in the city, and more on the outskirts, the need for water isnt exaggerated. First, follow the list above to prepare the lawn for winter with overseeding, aeration, and fertilization. Overseed after aerating and youll be shoring up your lawns foundation before winter comes. Winter Watering Since we rarely get snow here in Texas, you should still water your lawn in the winter, especially if its been several weeks without rain. To avoid shocking the lawn by mowing it short when winter hits, start cutting it shorter each time you mow. 0000001790 00000 n With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. Take notice of possible watering restrictions in your community during possible periods of drought. Chinch bugs are treated with an insecticide spray. A slow-release fertilizer is great to apply as you keep watering. If we talk about fertilizers, you can use NPK 15-0-5, 15-0-15 and 15-0-10. Your goal is at least 1 of water a week for your lawn. Contact Zodega TIS for a quote today! You may be hot, but you can get into hot water if you use too much water in Houston. For a healthy lawn, gather the leaves and put them into your compost bin. What do I need to know about winter lawn fertilization? Diseases can set in if your lawn is receiving too much moisture. A lawn that is properly watered can compete aggressively with weeds and avoid stress that contributes to lawn diseases. If the soil is moist during this time, it never needs to be watered. Diseases can set in if your lawn is receiving too much moisture. 2023 Texas A&M AgriLife. Some weeds can take over because they are better able to survive the stress of winter. 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. Regular watering should continue through fall up until the first freeze in approximately mid-October. 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. In the Los Angeles region, most warm-season grasses require one-third of an inch of rainfall every week during the winter. Fortunately for your water bill, your lawn will only require about inch of rainfall each week for you to have to do any watering. When it . Addresses ending in odd numbers may water on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The insulation also allows for the soil to maintain its moisture better. Watering infrequently and deeply is the key to a healthy Texas lawn. What do I need to know about, To answer these questions and keep Houston landscapes lush, Green Bee Lawn Care has put together this helpful guide to. Should I still water my lawn in the fall? This watering schedule is far lighter than during the spring or summer. Too much water and watering during the heat of the day is a waste, and it can lead to disease and grass damage. When you do water, wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches. A high volume of traffic compacts the soil, which, in turn, puts up a barrier between the grassroots and the water, oxygen, and nutrients that it needs to get through the winter. 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when to stop watering lawn in houston texas