Transitioning Lawns from Summer to Fall
Shorter days, cooler mornings, and that irresistible craving for a pumpkin spice latte, it must be fall… or at least what fall should feel like here on the South Plains! As your lawn starts slowing down for its winter nap, now’s the time to give it a little extra attention to set it up for a healthy comeback next spring.
Bermuda- ½ - 1 inch Fescue- 2 - 2 ½ inches Your lawn doesn’t need much water now, just about 1 inch every 4-6 weeks until it’s completely dormant. Water in the morning so leaves have time to dry out before nightfall, which helps reduce the chance of disease during cooler, damp weather. Fall is a great time to pull a soil sample!!
Knowing your soil’s nutrient level can help you plan smart for spring fertilization applications. Landscape soil tests cost around $45 (lab dependent) per sample. A small investment with a big payoff! If you are interested, give me a call and I’ll schedule a time to come out and pull a sample, send it off, and help you understand your analysis.
This is the perfect time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to stop winter annual weeds before they ever show up. If you’re working with tall fescue (a bunching grass, not a spreading type), consider overseeding to keep your lawn thick and full.
It’s also a good idea to know your historical first freeze date as this may dictate how quickly you should begin your fall lawn care. In the Lubbock area it is October 21-31. Check your location by visiting plantmaps.com