On established lawns watering is only necessary 2-3 times weekly to a combined total of about 1.5 inches. If your area receives one inch or more of precipitation per week you don't need to water. 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. Swanson said more than 29,000 homeowners currently subscribe to the program . 0000049970 00000 n Once the ground freezes, water is incapable of penetrating the surface and being absorbed by the plants roots. Gradually reduce watering until the average nighttime temperatures are in the low 30s, then stop. Dead grass blades that have lost their rooting are easy to pull out. In the winter, you can plan on watering your lawn in the morning, once a week. The point in the year the ground typically becomes frozen, and you can stop watering is heavily dependent on the region, so lets take a look at a few states to help you figure out when you can stop watering your grass. Since lawns need 1-1.5 inches of water per week, many factors determine the amount of water your grass requires weekly. These little critters love the heat. Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Buffalo, Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia) enter dormancy at temperatures 50 and 60. Whether you are a DIY, lawn-loving, gardening guru, or someone who wants help in picking a local lawn care professional, we can smooth your path to a beautiful backyard! 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. to one inch. You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. Water slowly so that the moisture soaks into the soil and you dont waste water with runoff. 0000048972 00000 n By e-mail: whcrwa@txdistricts.info. Rainfall is best, but when its not raining, you can set up your sprinkler to run during Houstons schedule of watering hours. If your area receives one inch or more of precipitation per week you dont need to water. Watering your lawn on a proper schedule is probably the single most important aspect of Texas lawn care. You can also chop them up with a mulching mower so that they fertilize your grass naturally. How Much is the Average Water Bill in 2023? How Long to Water St. Augustine Grass in Texas. Remember that the days are shorter, and the sun doesn . Water won't penetrate once the ground freezes. Frequent, short watering encourages shallow roots, unhealthy grass plants and turf susceptible to drought and disease. For the first three and last three months of the year, five hours every 10 days will normally do the trick. All rights reserved. Homeowners whose addresses end in even numbers can water on Sundays and Thursdays. Around here, where the weather is sure to change if you just wait five minutes, that can be tricky. Palmetto St. Augustine, for example, performs best in the fall at a height of about 2-2.5 inches while CitraBlue performs best at a height of 2-3 inches. North Texas Grass Watering Guide - Gecko Green. At this time, warm-season lawns will begin their dormancy, and watering will only become necessary in cases of extreme dehydration. . Fungal growth increases significantly at low temperatures, so it's important to not only protect plants, but also help soil recover after the frost season is over. First of all, its critical to take care of weed problems during the summer before theyre able to germinate and seed in the fall. Probate is needed in Texas when someone dies with assets in their single name, whether they have a will or not. Wikilawns mission is to provide the best resources and information to help you enjoy your outdoor spaces the way you want. This growth is critical to your grasss ability to collect and build nutrients, and both survive the harsh winter and regrow in the spring and summer. The particles are closer together in the denser soils, and the freezing process slows. In general, its best to continue watering your grass during the fall. Texas has a harsh climate, and many homeowners are left wondering if they should keep watering even through the winter. Keep reading to discover all the specifics. Anticipate needing to water your lawn during the fall to keep your grass healthy and prepared for the long-term. However, you will still need to be prepared to water during dry spells, just like in the summertime. Without this period of growth, there is a considerable risk your plants will enter winter with insufficient nutrients and will be incapable of making it to the spring. 0000049181 00000 n He says 4am is a good time to water the lawn. This can alter for different cultivars of St. Augustine though. Until then, watering is just as important as the rest of the year. Watering 2-3 times throughout the week - instead of daily or only once per week - is the best way to keep your lawn consistently hydrated. What do I need to know about winter lawn fertilization? All conservation and efficiency measures are aimed at reducing water use. Remember that the days are shorter, and the sun doesn't 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. The length of time that the air is cold is a determining factor. Eighty-six percent comes from the Trinity River into Lake Livingston, and the San Jacinto River into lakes Houston and Conroe. In addition to the time of day and watering duration, you likely also want to know how many days a week to water. Follow this blog to stay up to date with what you need to keep your lawn in tip-top shape year-round. When and how you water your lawn is the most important factor in the quality of your yard. Often homeowners shut their systems down as soon as the fall season arrives because they believe that their lawn requires less water. Water is a limited resource in Texas. Addresses ending in odd numbers may water on Saturdays and Wednesdays. 0000024764 00000 n If its a cold winter, no. If you have a newer sprinkler controller, you may have the seasonal adjust option. A lawn that is properly watered can compete aggressively with weeds and avoid stress that contributes to lawn diseases. The best time to water a lawn in hot weather is from dawn until the early morning hours or when the sun isn't fully shining yet. BoozerRed78. Its important to water your lawn in the fall until your ground freezes. A lot of the most popular sod is a blend of grasses, including Kentucky blue, rye, and fescue. Currently in Austin, the city is in Stage 1 water restrictions . Do you need to winterize your sprinkler system in Texas? This will allow the water to soak into the dirt and to the roots, will avoid water loss due to evaporation and will give the grass time to dry out. When the ground is frozen, the water wont make it down to the root zone because the hard, frozen soil acts as a barrier. Sandy soil types dont retain much water and drain quickly. By Kristine Cummings / August 15, 2022. Give Your Lawn a Drink. A well-maintained lawn actually reduces urban heat loads, traps pollutants, enriches local oxygen levels, helps recharge the aquifer, and provides a fire barrier. If there's one thing that winter will do to your Houston lawn, it's compact it. You may be hot, but you can get into hot water if you use too much water in Houston. When Should You Stop Watering Your Lawn In Texas? With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. How Much Does it Cost to Install Ductwork in 2023? Normally, this is not a problem because the main shut-off, zone valves and heads are below ground and stay relatively insulated. If you can't water before 10 a.m., don't make the mistake of watering late at night. 0000046999 00000 n Continue to water your plants up until this point so theyre as well-hydrated as possible going into winter. But remember, youll be watering in vain if youre doing so when the moisture is high and when the lows have been at or below freezing for an extended time. 0000032036 00000 n The watering of your lawn on a regular basis with a water timer ensures that the lawn receives the proper amount of water. Some seasonal variables will actually help make the decision for you. In the winter, the surface of the ground cools, but the deeper layers are probably still warmer. Inspect your property for proper drainage, especially when it allows water to run into streets, gutters, alleys and adjacent areas. If there does not appear to be a suitable amount of rain, try cutting back to approximately one thorough watering every week. Do I need to take steps for weed control in the winter? Overseeding thickens the turf so that it can withstand the onslaught of diseases and weeds that attack during the fall and winter. Watering grass in the fall is still necessary for Utah. If the soil is moist during this time, it never needs to be watered. It is also recommended to apply weed treatment while the temperature is less than 85 degrees to prevent harming the grass. The publication discusses soil types, grass varieties, management practices, and watering techniques. When should you stop watering in the fall? Furthermore, keeping high foot traffic and debris off the lawn can ensure the grass has room to continue growing, albeit slowly, all winter long. The formula in lawn fertilizers can change by region. Those two easy steps will keep your neighbors thinking the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence. How Much Does a Vinyl Inground Pool Cost? to speak with a lawn care expert today! As a former firefighter who maintained yards on his days off, he saw a need for a dependable, local maintenance company that knew the hill country climate and could deliver quality landscaping services for a reasonable price. The longer a cold spell endures, the more time the ground has to freeze. Ideally, you should keep the clippings on the lawn and let them disintegrate back into the turf, keeping the moisture and goodness where it needs to be. That's because mowing your lawn can help it stay aerated, which will allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots and keep them strong. Dry, stressed, or dormant lawns are more likely to be home to insects. Throughout October, watering should remain completely regular, and past this, a slightly more irregular schedule, perhaps once per week, may be suitable. Almost all of Texas is planted with warm-season grasses that go dormant when the soil temperature drops down between 50 and 60. 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