The shift from the intense Texas summer to the first hard freeze requires immediate action to protect your lawn and landscape investments. A thorough Fall Cleanup and Winterization is the only way to ensure your turf remains healthy during dormancy and springs back to life strong and green.
1. The Crucial Task: Thorough Leaf and Debris Removal
Leaving a thick blanket of leaves on your lawn is the number one cause of disease and damage during the cooler months.
- Smothering: Leaves block sunlight and air, smothering the grass blades and preventing photosynthesis.
- Fungus and Pests: Trapped moisture creates the perfect environment for destructive fungi, most notably Brown Patch (especially in St. Augustine) and harbor pests through winter.
- Best Practice: Mulch small amounts of leaves with your mower to add beneficial organic matter to the soil, but rake and remove large piles completely.
2. Winterizing Your Irrigation System (Mandatory)
While Central Texas doesn't face the deep freezes of the north, temperatures regularly drop below $32^\circ$F, which is cold enough to burst pipes and damage backflow preventers.
- Shut Off Water Supply: Locate the main shut-off valve (usually near your meter) and turn the water to the sprinkler system off.
- Drain/Blow Out: Open the drain valves on your system to relieve pressure. For advanced protection, a professional blow-out using compressed air is recommended to clear all water from the lines and prevent cracking.
- Insulate Backflow: Wrap the backflow prevention device (usually above ground) with insulation or an old towel to protect it from freezing air.
3. Final Fall Mow and Winter Feed
Before the grass goes completely dormant, give it a final cut and a nutrient boost.
- Lower the Mower: Gradually reduce your mowing height to one of the lowest settings. This prevents tall blades from bending over and matting down under frost.
- Apply Winterizer Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer high in potassium (the third number in the NPK ratio) but low in nitrogen (the first number). Potassium strengthens the grass's root system, helping it store energy and resist winter stress.
Investing a little time in the fall saves a huge amount of effort and expense during the spring recovery. Trust Southern Brothers to handle your winter preparation thoroughly and efficiently.