Lawn Care
Shrub Care
Liquid Aeration
Tree Care
From Fall to Winter
Although your lawn may be green now, you may have noticed it growing slower. This is because your lawn is entering winter dormancy. Dormancy is triggered by cooler temperatures and shorter days. Dormancy allows a plant to withstand the stress of unfavorable conditions by slowing growth and conserving energy.The classic brown winter appearance will not appear until the first frost.
Brown Patch
This year was marked by a warmer late fall which led to more late cases of brown patch. Brown patch is a fungus that is active when daytime highs are between 75-85℉ and nighttime lows are below 68℉. If fall-like conditions persist into December, brown patches are likely to hang around. Cooler temperatures will stop the fungal activity.
Irrigation
Typically, winter is accompanied by turning off the sprinklers for the season. However, a drier season would call for the opposite action. We recommend watering your yard 1x a week if no rain is forecasted. Here are recommended times for your system. Adjust to fit your lawn as needed.
Rotors: 20-25 minutes per zone
Sprays: 10-15 minutes per zone
Beds: 5-10 minutes per zone
If a freeze is forecasted, please winterize your irrigation system by following these steps.
First, turn off the water supply to the Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB). (This is the bell shaped thing on the side of your house.) There will be a ball valve located in the ground or adjacent to the PVB. (My system is a little different; the ball valve is located next to the water meter.)
Second, remove the protective caps on the test valves, then turn each screw 90 degrees releasing the pressure inside and allowing air to enter the PVB. DO NOT close the blue handle ball valves.
If you can’t turn off the water supply to the PVB, wrap it in a blanket, plastic, or cover it with a garbage can to trap in warmth.
Brandon Spiteri
O: 281-375-5100
Fertileearthtexas.com
Mowing
Mowing
During the winter, we recommend mowing every other week until the first frost.
Here are our recommended mowing heights:
St. Augustine: 3-4 inches
Bermuda / Zoysia: 1 ½ - 2 ½ inches
After the first frost, stop mowing. Mowing is an added stress to your lawn not needed during winter. Less winter stress leads to a healthier lawn the following Spring.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Happy holidays to you and your families!
See you next year!
