Winter Lawn Care Tips for North Texas
I’ve got good news for you today. A beautiful lawn doesn’t require as much work during the winter.
Grass needs to be watered, mowed, and occasionally weeded, but the more time-consuming chores can wait until the cooler months of the year.
However, there are things that you do need to do – especially if you want a lush, healthy lawn in spring.
By following these winter lawn care tips, you can be sure that your yard will look great even when there’s snow on the ground!
Deciding When to Water in Winter
Water your lawn less often in winter. Once every two to three weeks for about 15-20 minutes at a time is enough.
The roots of your grass need air and a little water to survive. If your area experiences occasional rainfall, that may be a sufficient amount of water to keep your lawn healthy.
Watering your lawn too often will keep it from going dormant. Don’t walk on wet grass as you can compact it, which reduces its ability to hold onto water and nutrients the next time you give it a drink.
Stop Fertilizing
The best time to fertilize your lawn is during fall and spring.
If you’re in North Texas, it can also be useful to keep an eye on things between mid-March and mid-April (you know, right around tax day) and then again from mid-September through early November.
By being proactive about watering and fertilizing, you can prevent much of your grass from turning brown or yellow.
You may not know it, but it’s actually quite easy to accidentally over-fertilize your lawn in preparation for winter. Fall is when you should stop fertilizing your lawn. If you continue adding fertilizer, you’ll be asking for trouble when spring comes.
You can combat winter damage by keeping an eye on your grass, providing adequate drainage, and keeping an eye out for pest infestations.
Mow Less Often
Going longer between mowing can help curb your water usage. If you normally mow every four days, try once every 3-4 weeks instead.
When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, that’s your cue to stop mowing. Once your grass is dormant, do not continue mowing.
Adjust your mower to cut 1 inch shorter for the last mow. This helps prepare your lawn for spring by clearing out any extra debris.
There’s an added bonus- less time spent working on your lawn means more time doing other things!
Clear Out Any Leaves Or Vegetation
Make sure your lawn and gardens are in top shape by removing any dead vegetation and pruning up vines, shrubs, and trees.
Rake up all leaves. Leaves love to soak up moisture. This can cause moss or mold to grow on your lawn.
Adding some potted plants to your landscape is a popular winter pastime in Texas because our winters are usually not that cold. Plus, you can bring potted plants into your garage or shed during a freeze.
If you’re ready to tackle projects like planting shrubs or trees, winter can be a great time to do so. Roots can grow with any temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
Winter weather in Texas can be unpredictable. Chances are you’ve experienced a few light snowfalls or bouts of rain-or both.
Regardless of where you live in North Texas, the tips discussed above will help to keep your lawn protected from severe weather.
