When Should You Stop Watering Grass in the Fall?
When Should You Stop Watering Grass in the Fall?
Just because summer is coming to an end does not mean that you can stop watering your lawn. It’s still important to provide your grass with water throughout some of the fall months, up to a point.
So, when do you stop watering the lawn? Here’s our guide.
Why Should You Water Grass Throughout the Warmer Fall Months?
Even if you live in a cooler part of the country, your lawn will still need water if the area is not receiving sufficient rain. If the grass is not receiving sufficient nutrients during the changing seasons, it could suffer quite a bit long term.
Your lawn will continue to grow for a good part of the fall season, even though you are not able to see it. It’s because the growth is actually occurring underground in the root system. Neglecting this growth could damage the foundation of the grass, and even kill it altogether.
When to Stop Watering the Lawn in Fall
So, when should you stop watering your grass for the year?
You should water your lawn until the ground freezes for the very first time. Once the ground freezes over, that ice will act as a barrier to any water you sprinkle on your grass.
In areas with very cold winters, the extreme temperatures actually create desert conditions. Meaning that water is inaccessible to the roots of your plants, trees, and grass, causing them to go dormant. When your lawn is in a dormant state, it doesn’t need water to survive the cold winter months.
Other Tips and Tricks for Watering Your Lawn in the Fall
Here are some other suggestions to ensure your grass gets what it needs this autumn.
First and foremost, consider the time of day you are watering your lawn. The best time to do this is first thing in the morning, as it gives your property the rest of the day to dry out. If you don’t have the time to water your lawn before work, or you don’t have time to water it at all, you may want to consider an automatic irrigation system to take over for you instead.
Also, make sure that your lawn gets water, but not too much water. If you live in an area with sufficient rainfall (around an inch a week), then you won’t need to water your property nearly as much. In this case, you should only focus on newly planted grass or over-seeded areas. Lawns that get over-watered can hurt their systems, and also invites fungi to invade.
If you have issues with a fungus invading your lawn, it can quickly spread and become a much bigger problem. Avoiding this is as simple as making sure you aren’t providing your landscaping with too much excess water.
Another aspect of autumn to consider is dry spells. During times of the season without any rain, make sure that you are giving the grass adequate hydration. Watering your grass during these periods will essentially be the same as doing it in the summer.
Our Final Thoughts on Watering Your Lawn in the Fall
If you find that you are having trouble with watering your lawn sufficiently throughout the autumn months, consider contacting a trusted, local landscaping company to assist you in the process. For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area, consider contacting Homescape Now for assistance! Give us a call today.
