Although snow rarely falls in South and Central Texas, we still get some cold, harsh temperatures. In order to have a healthy lawn after the winter, it’s important to prepare your commercial lawn to withstand the effects of colder temperatures.

Most of the grasses and plants in cities and areas like San Antonio, Austin, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley tend to favor warmer temperatures. These grasses can become damaged by extreme or freezing temperatures if adequate steps are not taken beforehand to get them ready for bleak temperatures. Read on to learn about the potential effects of colder temperatures on your commercial lawn and what you can do this fall season to prepare.

The experts at TLC Total Lawn Care can help you with your commercial lawn care. Contact us today.

The Effects of Cold Weather

Grasses and plants accustomed to warmer weather – 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher – can continue to flourish, regardless of cold conditions. You may wonder how this is possible. During the fall when there is less sun and more rainfall, these same grasses go into a stage of dormancy until they can receive more sunlight and are once again exposed to warmer temperatures. As this grass goes into a dormant state, it is absorbing moisture, energy and nutrients. Therefore, it is important to tend to it now rather than later.

Preparing Your Lawn

In order to ensure a healthy commercial lawn come spring, we have five tips for you to follow to get started on your fall/winter lawn-care preparations.

Mow and Water

Continue to mow your lawn no more than one-third of an inch of grass at a time, even if colder temperatures have arrived. Continue mowing until you notice your grass growing slowly. It should be between two and two-and-a-half inches tall in the fall. It’s important to continue watering your lawn in the fall because your grass is still growing. As long as there isn’t any ice or your grass freezes, you can continue to water.

Rake Leaves

Raking leaves is important in order to avoid a buildup that can turn into a mat that prevents grass from getting sunlight, water and other nutrients. You can also mulch these leaves and let your grass absorb the nutrients.

Aerate Soil

Aerating the soil of your lawn can help water, oxygen and fertilizer reach the roots more easily. It is best to aerate soil when it is moist and not soggy. You can use a self-propelled machine, rent a gas-powered machine or, to save yourself the hassle of covering a large area of land, you can have us do it for you.

Top Dress

Applying compost to your lawn provides it with nutrients from organic material that helps it become greener much quicker. This compost promotes healthy roots and soil and aides with the increase and improvement of soil aeration, drought resistance and any compaction issues.

Seed and Fertilize

Fall is the perfect time for fertilizing as this is when turf roots grow the fastest. Buying expensive seeds will better guarantee that you won’t have any weed seeds in your mixture. Germination usually takes between 10 and 20 days.

Phosphorous-rich or nitrogen-rich fertilizers can help grass grow deep roots during colder months and reserve nutrients for the spring. You should fertilize toward the end of fall. A drop spreader usually provides the best coverage. You can contact us to ask about our lawn care services or for assistance with any of these care tips.

We Can Help

The commercial landscaping experts at TLC Total Lawn Care, LLC wouldn’t want your commercial lawn or business to suffer due to poor winter preparation practices. We can help with the maintenance of your lawn this fall and winter season. We can even take care of any restoration procedures that may be needed after winter. For any questions, call our office at 800.796.8087.