There are a number of homeowners who stop watering their lawn during the early months of fall. Conventional thinking is that this is a good idea because the turf isn’t going to be growing as much and if you continue watering, it may lead to issues. However, the fact is, watering when cooler weather arrives is still necessary and something all homeowners should take some time to learn a bit more about.

While it isn’t necessary to mow as often in the fall as during the warmer months of the year, the turf does keep growing. However, this growth is different than what is seen in the summer and spring. During these cooler months, tillers are growing, which are side shoots, as well as rhizomes, which increase the density of the turf. This time is crucial for “healing” after a stressful summer, especially in situations where the grass was worn down due to traffic or suffered from insect or disease problems.

Also, watering in the fall months is necessary to ensure late season nitrogen applications are going to work effectively. If you simply apply fertilizer to dry turf, it is much less likely to enhance the potential for fall rooting. The same is true for the effectiveness of herbicides. There is no question that the fall months are ideal for applying herbicides for controlling thistle, plantain, bindweed, clover, and dandelion. However, the application works best when it is applied to green, healthy and actively growing weeds. If you stop watering, this will not be the case.

Tips for Watering Your Lawn In the Fall

Now that you know it is important to continue watering your lawn during the fall, you may wonder how often you should water it. Compared to the summer months, your lawn will require much less water because the temperatures are on the lower side. If it is a bit warmer during the first few weeks of fall, then it is best to continue a schedule of watering twice weekly. As the temperatures begin to drop, you should also reduce the watering to just one time a week.

However, keep in mind, since the temperatures are not as hot as they are in the summer, the water won’t evaporate as quickly. As a result, you need to make sure you don’t overwater the lawn. Your grass will let you know when it needs to be watered by either showing signs of wilt or by changing in color.

When to Water Your Lawn

The time of day you water is also important. It is best to water your lawn early in the morning, around 3am, prior to the sun coming up and before dew has formed. The watering process should be completed by no later than 9am. The best way to do this is to set your automatic timers on your irrigation system.

Keeping your lawn healthy during the fall months doesn’t mean you stop watering it altogether. Using the tips here will help you know how much water your lawn needs. You can also contact The IDL Company to learn more.