Corpus Christi receives the most monthly rainfall (on average) during the fall season. This is great for lawns as it will add more moisture for adequate growth through the season as well as cut down on watering costs.
What this wet weather means for you and your lawn care: Continue to water the lawn as needed but also consider these other important fall lawn care tips to prepare the grass for a healthy and strong growing season next year.
Mow When Needed
Many homeowners in the Corpus Christi area will have warm season grasses in their yard which will go dormant in the winter. However, with the elevated temperatures of the area in fall, warm season grasses continue to grow well into November.
Make sure to keep an eye on your lawn and mow when it is needed, not always when it is convenient. Never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade length at once to protect the grass roots as well.
Allowing your lawn to grow too tall in the warm fall season of Corpus Christi could lead to extra moisture in the lawn and become a breeding ground for fungi.
See Related:
— Best Grass Types for Texas Lawns
Add Nutrients
Fall fertilization is important for Corpus Christi lawns to give the grass enough nutrients to survive the winter and green back up in the spring.
Choose a nitrogen-rich fertilizer along with potassium to help your grass through the dry winter period. A slow-release fertilizer is best so that your grass can receive the important nutrients over a longer period of time.
Choosing to add fertilizer to your lawn during the fall also helps create a dense turf of grass which prevents weeds from growing in the warmer Corpus Christi climate.
See Related:
— When to Fertilize Lawns in Texas
Mulch with Leaves
Corpus Christi homeowners know that they will have very little to no fall color but will notice that most leaves go from green to brown before falling off into the lawn.
Consider using these fallen leaves to add natural nutrients to your lawn as well as cut down on yard waste. Use a leaf mulching lawn mower to cut those large leaves down into pieces that will break down easier in the lawn.
Distribute mulched leaves all over your lawn for a boost of energy during the fall. If you don’t have a leaf mulcher, spread out the dead leaves onto the lawn and then mow them on the highest setting with your lawn mower for a quick and easy way to care for your lawn this fall.
See Related:
— 5 Best Ways to Clean Up Leaves in Your Yard
Fill in Worn Spots
Many homeowners in the Corpus Christi area use their lawns a lot during the summer season for outdoor parties or to enjoy the sprinklers on a hot summer day. This heavy use can cause some areas of your lawn to become thin or worn which can be a great spot for weeds to grow.
Consider overseeding your lawn in the winter to fill in those areas that are bare.
Most Corpus Christi homeowners will have a warm season grass in their yard like Bermudagrass or St. Augustinegrass which will do well in the hotter climate. If you are unsure of your grass type, consider the different variations of warm season grasses to overseed with the same kind of grass that is already established in your yard.
See Related:
— 5 Clear Signs You Need to Overseed Your Lawn
Beware of Lawn Pests
The fall armyworm is notorious for its ability to destroy lawns in just a few days. Fall armyworms are prevalent in the Corpus Christi area and may not die off each year due to our relatively warm winter season.
Homeowners with Bermudagrass should be especially vigilant about this pest that will eat grass leaves along with thousands of their armyworm friends. Look for fall armyworm caterpillars in your yard during the morning or late evening as they can be easily spotted feeding on grass.
Armyworms have a distinctive inverted white “Y” between their eyes and will eventually pupate into moths after eating the lawn. Consider using a chemical application to destroy armyworms that could eat Bermudagrass lawns.
See Related:
— Signs of Armyworm Damage
— How to Get Rid of Armyworms on Your Lawn
— How to Get Rid of Armyworms in Your Garden
— How to Prevent an Armyworm Invasion
Fall is a Busy Season for Lawn Care in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi’s warm fall season can be a busy one due to the higher temperatures of the Southern Texas region. Make sure to continue cutting the lawn as well as feeding it with fertilizer during the fall.
Other tips for homeowners to remember include watching out for fall pests as well as overseeding and mulching with fallen leaves come November. All of these tips are important to consider when caring for your lawn during the fall in Corpus Christi.
Read Next:
— Summer Lawn Care Tips for Corpus Christi
— 5 Landscaping Tips for Corpus Christi
Need help preparing your lawn? Visit our Corpus Christi lawn care page to get in touch with a professional! In addition to Corpus Christi, we provide lawn care services in other Texas cities, including Houston, Austin, and Dallas.
Main Image Credit: Richard King House / 25or6to4 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
