subject: How To Care For Lawns And Landscapes In Cooler Weather [print this page] With the onset of autumn and the cooler weather, the lawn begins to change, and so does its needs. How it changes, however, depends on the climate and its location. In the Southeast, for example, a lawn's growth simply slows down. In other areas that suffer over night frost and freezing, the landscape will actually go dormant. Ornamental grasses, on the other hand, can lose all their leaves, only to come back again in the spring with all new growth. Regardless, all of these situations require a unique set of lawn care services.
Lawn Irrigation Service -- Watering Fall and Winter Lawns
Contrary to what many homeowners believe, the onset of cold weather doesn't mean it's time to stop watering the lawn. Instead, irrigation service needs to be monitored and adjusted accordingly. During hot weather, for example, landscaping should receive three-quarters to an inch of water, twice weekly. During the cool weather, however, the lawn irrigation service shouldn't put down more than three-quarters to an inch of water, once every 7-10 days. This includes any rainfall or snow that happens to fall during that time.
Before starting to water the landscape, a few things will need to be kept in mind. First, grass should never be watered while it's frozen or covered in frost. Wait until it has warmed up and melted. Secondly, be sure to check for any local watering restriction. This will provide the specific dates and times irrigation and watering is allowed.
Mowing The Lawn
Even though the grass may be growing at a slower pace, it will still require mowing during the cooler months. But, how often this is required will depend on the type of grass included in the landscaping. A general rule for lawn care services is to mow once every 10-14 days during the cooler weather.
When cutting the lawn, leading lawn care services recommend not removing more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade, which will depend on the species of grass being grown. Tall Fescue, for example can be cut at a height of 1.5 to 3 inches, while Floratam, a type of St Augustine grass, needs to be kept at a height of 3.5 to 4 inches. Again, if the grass blades are frozen or covered in frost, don't mow it until it has melted.
A Few Extra Tips For Landscape Care In The Colder Months
Fall is always a good time to fertilize the lawn, but it should be done before mid-October. To find out what type of fertilizer the landscape needs, it's best to have it tested and a specific formula recommended by a professional lawn care services provider. Otherwise, an abundance of one mineral could harm the health of the lawn.
Before the temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, it's important to remove the weeds and give any trouble areas an herbicide treatment. This will give the lawn a good start in the spring. Lastly, seeding is best done by no later than mid-September, if possible. This will give it a chance to develop a healthy root system before the weather turns too cold.
With these simple tips, smart mowing and lawn irrigation service, and a quality lawn care services provider, the landscaping will look beautiful and awaken refreshed and healthy in the spring.
