I know you're tired of tending the grass, after watering and mowing all summer long. But there are a few things to keep in mind as the cooler weather approaches. Think of it as "winding down" the growing season for the lawn, putting it to bed so it will wake up refreshed and rejuvenated in the spring.
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| Good night, grass! |
First, it's about time to fertilize the grass if you haven't already done so. I like to fertilize my lawn in very late October or early November. Ideally you want to wait until the growth rate has slowed significantly before you apply this last fertilizer dose. It's important not to use a high-nitrogen formula. For conventional fertilizers, there are good choices available in a 3-1-2 ratio. Nitro-Phos makes a very good fall fertilizer; look for the 15-5-10 on the label. Organic fertilizers will be approximately in the same ratio, but with smaller numbers: 6-2-4 is a good target. I like the MicroLife and the Nature's Guide products. You don't want to use a super-high nitrogen formula. It's never a good idea, but especially not in the fall. Here's an article I wrote about
why you shouldn't do it.
The cooler season also sometimes heralds the arrival of fungal diseases like brown patch. If you can, make sure you're not applying water late in the day. Correct any low-lying areas. Don't overfertilize, which causes a rapid, weak flush of growth that is susceptible to insects and disease. The pathogens that cause fungal disease are typically always present in our soils and lawns. It's only really a problem with environmental conditions conspire with the climate and a susceptible host (like St. Augustinegrass). Do what you can to reduce environmental problems but only use a fungicide if disease threatens to destroy the lawn. I don't recommend preventive applications of fungicide.
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| Remember this one? |
If you had a bad outbreak of
winter weeds, now is the time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide. Follow all label instructions and do it quick: timing is everything with pre-emergents. The best weed prevention strategy, though, is proper watering, mowing and fertilizing. With the exception of nutsedge, very few annual weeds can survive in a healthy, properly-cared-for lawn.
If you simply must have an emerald-green lawn all winter long, now is the time to overseed with annual rye grass. Of course, this means you'll have to mow and water and fertilize all winter long too! If you're not overseeding, you can probably discontinue watering the grass now, although you still need to tend to trees, shrubs and flowers.
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| Red Imported Fire Ant, Photo Alex Wild |
Did you treat your lawn with fire ant bait? If not, get together with your neighbors and do a big area all at once. When you treat your lawn in isolation, the ants simply wait it out over on the neighbor's side. When the bait has all dispersed, they'll come right back. Here's some great information from the Texas Agri-Life Extension on the "
Texas Two-Step" method for controlling fire ants.
