Most homeowners think lawn care is a spring-and-summer thing. In Texas, that's backwards. The work you do in October and November directly determines how fast and full your grass comes back in March.
Stop Mowing So Short
As temperatures drop and your grass starts going dormant, resist the urge to scalp it down. Leave Bermuda at about 1.5–2 inches heading into winter. St. Augustine does best at 3–4 inches. The extra blade height protects the crowns of the grass from cold damage and helps retain moisture.
One Last Fertilization — But Choose Carefully
A fall fertilizer application can really help your grass store energy for winter. But what you use matters a lot.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers in the fall. Fast top growth right before winter is the last thing you want — that new growth is tender and vulnerable to frost. Instead, look for a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen number and higher potassium (the third number on the bag). Potassium strengthens roots and improves cold hardiness.
This application should go down in early October — late enough that the grass is slowing down, early enough that roots can still absorb it before dormancy.
Overseed (If You Have Bermuda and Want Green All Winter)
Bermuda goes fully brown in winter. If that bothers you, you can overseed with perennial ryegrass in October for green color through the cold months. Note: this competes with your Bermuda, so it's a cosmetic choice with a small tradeoff. The Bermuda comes back fine in spring.
Aeration
Fall is the best time to aerate. Pulling plugs from the soil lets air, water, and nutrients reach the roots more effectively — and in our clay-heavy Brazos Valley soils, compaction is a real issue. We recommend aerating every year or two for most lawns.
What NOT to Do
- Don't water as heavily. Your lawn needs less water as it goes dormant. Overwatering in fall encourages fungal issues.
- Don't let leaves pile up. A thick mat of leaves blocks light and traps moisture. Mulch them with your mower or bag them.
- Don't start new landscaping projects in the dead of winter. Newly installed plants and sod in January struggle to establish. Late fall or early spring is the better window.
If you'd like help with a fall cleanup or aeration, give us a call — October books up fast.