When it . Drake concert at the Houston Appreciation Weekend, Bermudagrass Guide: Types, Traits, and Care, How to Get Rid of Anthracnose in the Lawn, 11 Essential Lawn Care Tools for Homeowners, How to Prevent the Neighbors Dog from Pooping in Your Yard, How to Protect Grass from an Inflatable Pool. Watering your lawn regularly is crucial for healthy grass in the summer, but watering your lawn in the winter months like January and December is unnecessary. 0000049181 00000 n Having an organized pantry is a great start, but a deep pantry presents a few challenges. Water is a limited resource in Texas. How Much is the Average Water Bill in 2023? . When you do water, wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches. If there appears to be sufficient moisture in some parts of your lawn, lessen the watering and do not water in frozen patches at all, such as areas that remain frozen due to shade. Gradually reduce watering until the average nighttime temperatures are in the low 30s, then stop. Its a given for most of us. Especially avoid watering late in the day or at night, since the grass blades will stay wet all night long, encouraging . When the temperature rises to around 92 degrees during the day, you can increase the frequency of the watering by giving the lawn the same amount of water (1 to . Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone. The rule of thumb about frozen ground is that, after about three nights in a row below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the ground is frozen. In general, its best to continue watering your grass during the fall. it depends on the station's water output. However, stop watering as soon as the first frost sets in. Try to ensure the waterings are deep to attempt to encourage deeper root development. 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. How Much Does it Cost to Install Ductwork in 2023? A sudden drop in moisture can shock your grass and cause it to dehydrate. Most lawns in the area require one inch of water a week. AND there is the possibility of having your Houston area water service disconnected. In fact, watering your lawn is far from a bad thing. Grass dries out much more quickly in the summer heat. Some weeds can take over because they are better able to survive the stress of winter. 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. 4:14p, 5/24/17. Dont shut off your irrigation system too early. In this case, you can use that feature to adjust the amount you normally water to less for cooler seasons. Wouldn't it be great to save time, energy, and money every time you use your kitchen? This online course will teach you how to properly maintain and operate your ATU. "As temperatures cool during the fall, your lawn will need less and less water," Rossi says. What is Weed Control and When to Apply It? For perennial grasses (a great drought tolerant choice), trim them 4-6 inches off the ground and youll have a new plant growing every year. Water is a limited resource in Texas. If you water in the early morning hours, the grass can dry out during the day and before nightfall. Since 2007 he has used his leadership to grow the company into one of the top landscape maintenance companies in Austin and surrounding areas offering landscape maintenance, design, and irrigation services to both residential and commercial clients. We rummage around for those puffy down jackets, even though we usually never need them in the fall. Leaves covering the lawn keeps the much-needed sunlight from your grass. To avoid shocking the lawn by mowing it short when winter hits, start cutting it shorter each time you mow. Overseeding in the fall can help protect it from becoming susceptible to these threats by creating a more robust turf. About 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. annually. 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. (3 pages). Depending on what type of grass you have, the point at which your grasss blades stop growing will change. When should I shut off my sprinkler system? But not all fertilizers are created equal when it comes to summer lawn maintenance. 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. 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. 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. During the summer, we typically recommend watering three to four days per week to achieve that . If the grass is only sleeping, you should conduct a tug of war test. Aerating and loosening the soil is another pivotal step in the process. It is still important to maintain a consistent watering schedule until the temperature drops low enough that the ground begins to freeze. This mulch helps retain moisture and returns nutrients to the grass and soil. Spray Zones-twice a week (8-10 minutes) Rotor Zones-twice a week (15-20 minutes) Mp Rotator Zones-twice a week (15-20 minutes) Drip Zones-twice a week (20-30 minutes) based on 12 inch spacing at .9 GPH. A well-maintained lawn actually reduces urban heat loads, traps pollutants, enriches local oxygen levels, helps recharge the aquifer, and provides a fire barrier. With average summertime temperatures in the mid-90s, its an absolute must to stick with the citys water conservation plan. If your lawn has a sandier soil type, expect the ground to freeze sooner. Watering will still be necessary into winter, demanding attention for when the temperature really begins to drop. While Texas subscribes to the "common enemy doctrine", it has modified the doctrine by holding landowners responsible for damage to neighboring property due to diversion of surface water. During this season, the grass will continue to grow. Gradually reduce watering until the average nighttime temperatures are in the low 30s, then stop. 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When should I winterize my lawn in Texas? Ferris is also a member of the Seasonal Employment Alliance (SEA) and an active participant in advocacy efforts to help promote cap relief. Water in the ground becomes ice. The standard of lawn watering is to provide an inch of water once a week, or half an inch twice a week. But generally, it does get wetter. Our professionals recommend you always following water restrictions, but also contemplate such parts to determine watering run times as well. Youll recognize it by the patches of damaged turf that can be inches in width to several feet. As the old saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 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. If it goes in smoothly then you have given your lawn enough water. As seen in Forbes, CNBC and USA Today, LawnStarter makes it easy to schedule service with a local lawn care professional. 0000061367 00000 n The healthier your lawn, the less trouble youll have with disease. Walker said Houston has committed to upgrading its aging infrastructure in recent years, but that the increase in water loss over the past four years suggests further efforts are needed. Watering dormant or slow-growing grass in low temperatures prevents grass death, strengthens roots, and ensures a strong lawn return in spring. 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. Please visit our Houston, TX lawn care page for more information. and prevention for Texas lawns to ensure vibrant, healthy lawns in the spring. Violating Houstons drought contingency plan rules during dry periods can cost you! Make sure the grass is getting the proper amount of water at the right time, and ensure that the grass stays at the correct length. When should I stop watering the grass before winter? Do you need to winterize your sprinkler system in Texas? 1. 0000004166 00000 n Does Texas, The sales tax in Texas is 6.25%, which is slightly higher than Floridas rate of 6%. Ferris MyCue is the founder and owner of Grass Works Lawn Care, LLC located in Leander, TX. 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. How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Using Home Remedies, Top 7 Houston Texas Landscaping Ideas for Every Taste, Easy Steps to a Trouble-Free Sod Installation in Houston, Texas, Definitive Guide to Safe and Effective Lawn Fertilization. Anticipate needing to water your lawn during the fall to keep your grass healthy and prepared for the long-term. which makes it difficult for water and air to access the roots and for them to grow unhindered. 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. Since all sides of your foundation can suffer damage when it's hot, you'll need to have multiple soaker hoses. 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. The general rule of thumb is to keep the grass roughly the same height as a soda can turned on its side. This palm-sized flip deck features photographs and line drawings of 61 aquatic plants commonly found in Texas. Members are hearing testimony from subject-matter experts as well as policy advocates,, $75,000. We get our turfgrass from our family farm in Bay . Addresses ending in odd numbers may water on Saturdays and Wednesdays. It will naturally begin to loosen up on its own, . If it has been recently aerated and seeded, attempt light, frequent watering twice daily until light puddling forms. This is why the cold temperatures of northern winters are said to . 2023 Texas A&M AgriLife. Keep it healthy for all of central Texas. 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. 901 Mopac Expressway South, Barton Springs Rd . . Houston, TX 77063 713-395-9700 713-600-5999. Entering Your Address Allows Us to Get You A Free Accurate Quote Quickly. to speak with a lawn care expert today! Local lakes and rivers make up Houstons water supply. However, its important to provide the soil with enough moisture to survive these months. Too much water can be wasteful and damage harmful to the life span of the grass. Since lawns need 1-1.5 inches of water per week, many factors determine the amount of water your grass requires weekly. 0000032058 00000 n 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. While it appears that the lawn is lying dormant over the winter, there are crucial nutrients and care it needs to provide homeowners with the landscape for their summer activities. However, you will still need to be prepared to water during dry spells, just like in the summertime. To prevent brown patches from developing, refrain from overwatering, make sure drainage is adequate, and be sparing with the application of nitrogen. Should I still water my lawn in the fall? include taking shorter showers, utilizing pool covers and using fewer dishes. How Much Does a Vinyl Inground Pool Cost? The cold top layer insulates the levels beneath. Texas has a harsh climate, and many homeowners are left wondering if they should keep watering even through the winter. Until then, watering is just as important as the rest of the year. Fortunately for your water bill, your lawn will only require about inch of rainfall each week for you to have to do any watering. Its also important to cut the grass with a sharp blade. When the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, some homeowners stop watering their lawns. Temperatures matter. Repeating this until germination is critical; when seedlings have grown to at least 2 inches, cut back the watering to once per day. As the caretakers of Houstons best lawns, we get many questions once winter rolls around: should I seed my lawn in the winter? Water slowly so that the moisture soaks into the soil and you dont waste water with runoff. 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. Another important aspect of mowing for the health of your lawn is the mulch that is produced afterwards. 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. Houston, Texas is considered a mild climate with very little annual change in temperature. If its a cold winter, no. Houstons Public Works Department estimates Harris Countys population will exceed 5.5 million people in the next 30 years. Do I need to take steps for weed control in the winter? With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. Diseases can set in if your lawn is receiving too much moisture. Chemical fertilizers can have an adverse effect on your yard during the summer causing a burning effect. When it comes to mowing your St. Augustine, a typical height is about 2-4 inches. We recommend the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. time slot for efficient watering. your lawn is 5,000 square feet, it will need 33 pounds of 15-5-10 fertilizer. Remember that the days are shorter, and the sun doesnt hold its intensity for nearly as long as the summer months. Sandy soil types dont retain much water and drain quickly. Here in Central Texas, we have a lot of options for turf. Be mindful of purchasing a fertilizer product that works with the Houston climate. 0000048972 00000 n Students have the option of obtaining school credit for this course. The city and county will put out the word if there are watering restrictions in and around Houston, but think of it this way: When in doubt, prepare for drought. 0000047199 00000 n As a general rule, temperatures outside must drop to at least 20 degrees or lower to cause pipes to freeze. A good test to make sure youre giving the yard enough water is to stick an instrument like a screwdriver into the dirt. But there are other options too, including Zoysia and Bermuda, which dont need much water. Starting in September or for those living outside the Wasatch front, perhaps in December depending on the weather, you should begin to cut back watering to approximately every six-day spread throughout the month. It freezes between the tiny pebbles, rocks, and soil. Given the summer heat in the Houston area and the everlasting need to preserve natures precious resources, its always a good idea to have a basic maintenance plan for your yard. 0000061289 00000 n The longer a cold spell endures, the more time the ground has to freeze. If you have bare spots, you can overseed the lawn to encourage new growth. For some species, the fall is still an important growing season, even for the surface. The month of May is the ideal time to take the necessary preventive steps to ensure a healthy and lush lawn during the harshest summer months. So make sure to take this step in late fall, before the ground freezes, to avoid adding additional stress to the lawn. The grass blades turn yellow at the edges of the patches and brown within the patches. This act ensures that the dirt retains its moisture. To answer these questions and keep Houston landscapes lush, Green Bee Lawn Care has put together this helpful guide to caring for the lawn in the winter. First of all, its critical to take care of weed problems during the summer before theyre able to germinate and seed in the fall. LawnStarter makes lawn care easy, affordable, and reliable. Its important not to miss those allowed watering days, which could result in the grass drying out. In colder parts of the country, this will happen part way through fall. Instead of running each sprinkler zone for 15 or 20 minutes each, each zone only runs for the amount of time that the soil can absorb, preventing runoff. Make the Last Cut Count. You can topdress your lawn with about half an inch of compost every fall after its aerated. Loamy soil with more clay tends to hold moisture much better, but it does not drain as well, so overwatering is a real risk. To determine how long you need to water to get one inch, place a plastic container in your yard and set a timer. Eighty-six percent comes from the Trinity River into Lake Livingston, and the San Jacinto River into lakes Houston and Conroe. All conservation and efficiency measures are aimed at reducing water use. If its dense like clay, then it will take longer to freeze. The standard of lawn watering is to provide an inch of water once a week, or half an inch twice a week. The watering of your lawn on a regular basis with a water timer ensures that the lawn receives the proper amount of water. 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