Fall & Winter Lawn Watering Tips

Metro Orlando FL | Kissimmee - Sanford - Leesburg

Watering your lawn in the fall isn’t much different from watering at any other time of year. The main difference is that as the weather cools off, your lawn goes dormant. This means the growing season is over, and your lawn is “resting.” The lawn’s color will change, and its growth will slow down and eventually stop as winter approaches.

Because of this, your watering frequency must change. At the beginning of the fall, watering twice a week is ok. Eventually, you may need to cut back your watering to a maximum of once per week. Provided that your lawn has been watered correctly up to that point, one watering cycle a week will generally keep the grass in good shape.

Because proper watering every season is so important, the Heron Home And Outdoor team is here with some very important tips you can follow to ensure that your lawn stays healthy year-round. If you need help or advice on your irrigation system, don’t hesitate to ask!

Why You Should Check Your Irrigation System Early

Did you know that a working sprinkler system is just as important to your lawn’s health as fertilization? If your system is not watering properly or your lawn isn’t getting proper coverage, your lawn will get thirsty fast. Drought can cause irreversible damage.

Having your sprinkler system checked by a professional will ensure that all heads are functioning properly and that all zones in your lawn have proper coverage. Remember, even if your lawn is being properly fertilized, nothing will keep your lawn healthy if your sprinkler system isn’t watering your lawn correctly. If you’re dealing with a broken sprinkler head, count on our team for sprinkler repair.

How Often Should I Water My Lawn in Winter?

There is really no set schedule for watering your lawn in fall and winter. However, your lawn will always require less water in cool weather. A good way to know when it’s time to water in the fall is simply to keep an eye on your lawn. Here’s what you can look for:

• Color changes: You will notice that your lawn’s leaf blades will fold in half lengthwise and will begin to appear bluish-gray when it’s in need of water. Those signs are your lawn telling you that it’s thirsty!
• Water retention: You can check for water retention by simply walking over your lawn. If it’s muddy or marshy, your lawn has plenty of water. Overwatering your lawn can result in the growth of aquatic weeds such as dollar weed and sedge.

When Should I Water My Lawn?

The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning, around 3 am – before sunrise, and after dew has formed. You should be finished watering no later than 9:00 a.m. This can easily be done by setting your irrigation system’s clock to the appropriate time.

Watering at the proper time and in the right amount helps reduce fungus, evaporation, and wasted water. Please adhere to local ordinances that dictate when watering is allowed.

How Much Water Should I Use?

Each zone should receive about ¾” of water. This amount will ensure that moisture reaches a depth of 8-12 inches in your lawn’s root system. This is important for good root growth and development.

You can measure the amount of water your lawn gets by placing empty irrigation measuring cups in each zone of your yard. Time how long it takes for the cup to be filled to ¾”–1″. This is the length of time you should set your irrigation system to run.

Why Are There Dry Spots on My Lawn?

During the fall in Altamonte Springs, precipitation may decrease. In dry conditions, you may see brown areas develop. If this happens, simply check the sprinkler heads in those areas. They may be damaged or misaligned.

You may need to make adjustments to ensure more uniform coverage. If you have a broken head, simply replace the head and then re-adjust as necessary.

With proper head-to-head coverage, dry spots should be a thing of the past. If you need assistance, our irrigation technicians will be more than happy to perform a Free 7 Point Irrigation Analysis to check every zone for proper coverage.

How to Water Your Altamonte Springs Lawn in Cold Weather

Even though temperatures rarely drop below freezing in Altamonte Springs, we still have short periods of cold weather and the occasional freeze. During these times, you need to know how to protect your lawn.

When Should I Stop Watering My Lawn?

One important reminder is that your lawn must be dry at the onset of sub-freezing temperatures. Do not water during a freeze. Doing so can cause substantial damage to the grass. However, if a freeze is on the way, watering the night before the freeze arrives can help your lawn. The water will seep into the soil and insulate the root structure of the grass, decreasing the potential for cold damage.

Call Heron Home And Outdoor for All Your Lawn Irrigation Needs

For guidance on how to keep your lawn healthy all year, the Heron Home And Outdoor team is the perfect one for the job. We’ve been helping Altamonte Springs homeowners keep their yards healthy and good-looking for 22 years.

If you need your irrigation system checked over before the cold weather hits, don’t hesitate to give us a call for a free quote!