The days are getting shorter, the mornings are crisp, and before long your Bermuda grass will fade from green to tan. Don't panic! That's exactly what it's supposed to do. Here's what's happening under your feet this time of year, and a few simple things you can do now so your lawn comes back strong in the spring.
Getting Your Lawn Ready for an Oklahoma Winter
Your Winter Lawn Checklist
BROWN DOESN'T MEAN DEAD 🍂
Bermuda is a warm-season grass. When the weather cools, it goes dormant and turns a pale tan color for the winter. The roots and runners are still alive. They're just resting until the soil warms up again in spring, when your lawn will green back up.
WHY YOUR FALL PRE-EMERGENT MATTERS SO MUCH 🌱
Ever notice little green weeds popping up all over a brown lawn in the middle of winter? Those are winter annuals like henbit and chickweed. Their seeds sprout in the fall, quietly grow through the cold months, and show off with purple flowers in late winter.
Our fall pre-emergent application creates a barrier in the soil that stops many of those seeds before they ever sprout. That's why the fall visit is one of the most important stops in our 6-Application Program. If a few weeds still sneak through, give us a call. Service calls between visits are free for program customers!
DON'T TURN OFF THE WATER COMPLETELY 💧
Dormant grass still needs some moisture. According to Oklahoma State University Extension, lawns that get too dry over the winter are more likely to suffer winterkill, especially during cold, windy stretches.
Water during dry spells. OSU suggests watering about every 10 to 14 days when it hasn't rained.
Pick a warm morning. Water on a day that will stay above freezing, so the water soaks in instead of icing over.
Follow your city's schedule. Most of our service area uses odd/even watering year-round, based on your address.
Protect your hoses. Once the ground starts to freeze, drain and store hoses and sprinklers so they don't crack.
WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE LEAVES 🍁
A thick blanket of leaves can smother your grass and trap moisture against it all winter. A light layer is easy: run the mower over it to chop the leaves into small pieces that break down on their own. For heavier piles, rake them up and use them as mulch in your flower beds. OSU recommends exactly that instead of bagging them!
MOWING AS GROWTH SLOWS ✂️
Keep mowing as long as your grass is still growing, and stick to the rule of never cutting more than one-third of the blade at a time. Once your Bermuda goes fully dormant, you can put the mower away for the season. Try to limit heavy foot traffic on frosty or frozen grass, since worn, compacted areas are slower to recover in the spring.
PLAN AHEAD FOR SPRING ☀️
Winter is a great time to think about what your lawn needs next year. Got thin, shady spots where Bermuda just won't grow? Ask us about fescue overseeding. Hard, compacted soil? Put a spring aeration on the calendar. And remember, the first pre-emergent of the new season goes down in late winter, before crabgrass has a chance to sprout.
Not on a program yet? This is the perfect time to sign up so you're ready before the first application of the new season. Send us an email, give us a call, or request a free quote online!
Thank you for trusting us with your lawn during our 25th year. We'll see you in the spring!
The Office Ladies
Irish Green Lawn Care