- 1. Tidy Up Your Yard<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Keep Watering<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Prep the Sprinklers<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Know Your Soil<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Fuel Your Lawn’s Fall Growth<\/a><\/li>
- 6. The Final Cut\u2026 Or is It?<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Careful With Aeration and Dethatching<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Weed Out the Competition<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Overseed Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Mulch for Healthier Plants and Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Tidy Up Your Yard<\/h2>
![\"picture](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Leaf-removal.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Although El Paso doesn’t typically experience the stunning fall foliage in other parts of the country, you can find some autumn beauty by hiking to the Guadalupe Mountains. However, even if your yard doesn’t boast the same colorful display, tidying up and preparing your lawn for the cooler months ahead is still essential.<\/p>
As the weather cools down, it’s common for leaves, branches, and other debris to accumulate on your lawn. These can make the grass\u2026<\/p>
- Have difficulties absorbing essential nutrients, air, and water<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/li>- Develop fungal diseases,<\/strong> like brown patch
<\/a><\/li>- Attract pests<\/strong>, such as rodents or armyworms<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
As such, raking up fallen leaves and clearing out any debris around your yard will help ensure your lawn stays healthy and attractive throughout the fall season.<\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you’re short on time or simply want to spare your back the strain of yard work, hiring a professional to clean up your yard can be a smart solution. <\/p>
- Yard cleanup costs<\/a> around $280.<\/strong>
<\/li>- Leaf removal costs<\/a> between $165 and $485<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Keep Watering<\/h2>
![\"Watering](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Water-your-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo by: PxHere<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> As the summer heat starts to subside, it may be tempting to stop watering your lawn altogether. However, in El Paso, where rainfall during the fall season can be scarce, it’s important to continue watering your lawn to ensure it stays healthy and vibrant. <\/p>
To keep your lawn looking its best, aim to water until mid-November. In addition, the best time to water your yard<\/a> is in the early morning, when the temperatures are cooler and the sun and the wind aren’t as intense, to prevent excessive evaporation.<\/p>
Warning:<\/strong> Be careful not to overwater your lawn, as this can lead to fungal diseases. Always check the weather conditions: If it has rained recently, your lawn will require less water.<\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the watering demands of your lawn during the fall season in El Paso, consider investing in an automated sprinkler system<\/a>. They cost between $2,400 and $4,200<\/strong>.<\/p>
3. Prep the Sprinklers<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/lawn-pink-chairs-water-sprinkler.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> While El Paso’s winters may not be as harsh as other regions, it’s still important to winterize your sprinkler system<\/a> and perform some maintenance tasks before cooler weather sets in: <\/p>
- Shut off the sprinkler system<\/strong> by the end of fall before temperatures drop below freezing.
<\/li>- Disconnect the system from the water supply<\/strong> and drain the lines to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
<\/li>- Cover aboveground components<\/strong> that may be subject to frost damage.
<\/li>- Repair broken sprinkler heads<\/strong> to prevent leaks and other issues that may go unnoticed during winter.
<\/li>- Clear any clogs<\/strong>, which can cause uneven watering and can lead to further problems down the line.<\/li> <\/ul>
4. Know Your Soil<\/h2>
![\"Soil](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Check-Your-Soil.jpg\")
Photo by: PxFuel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Knowing your soil is one of the most important aspects of fall lawn care. A soil test<\/a> can tell you a lot about your soil’s composition, including the pH level, nutrient content, and soil type<\/a>. This information can help you choose the right fertilizer and soil amendment for your lawn’s needs.<\/p>
In El Paso, the soil is typically alkaline, meaning it has a pH level above 7. This can affect the availability of certain nutrients in the soil and make it more challenging to maintain a healthy lawn. <\/p>
In addition, the two most common types of grass in El Paso are Bermuda<\/a> and Zoysia. They thrive in soil with a pH between 6 and 6.5, so if your soil is too alkaline, it can be difficult for these grasses to absorb the necessary nutrients. The best ways to amend alkaline soil<\/a> are through:<\/p>
- Elemental sulfur<\/li>
- Aluminum sulfate<\/li>
- Iron sulfate<\/li> <\/ul>
Note:<\/strong> If you followed our spring lawn care tips for El Paso<\/a> and already performed a soil test, you don’t have to do it again. It is recommended to test your soil once a year.<\/p>
5. Fuel Your Lawn’s Fall Growth<\/h2>
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Hand-Held-Granular-Fertilizer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Fertilizing your warm-season lawn during the fall season in El Paso is a vital lawn maintenance step. This final fertilizer application<\/a> of the year serves as an extra boost of energy before your grass goes dormant, allowing it to store essential nutrients for the coming months.<\/p>
Even if you have already fertilized your lawn<\/a> in spring, doing it in fall is still recommended. Splitting the fertilizer into two smaller applications can promote better absorption and reduce the risk of fertilizer burn. This can also ensure that your lawn receives the right balance of nutrients throughout the year.<\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> Timing is crucial when it comes to fall fertilization. It’s essential to give enough time for the fertilizer to work before the grass dormancy period begins, which in El Paso typically starts around mid-November. As such, it’s best to feed your lawn in mid-September<\/strong> to allow it to take effect fully.<\/p>
6. The Final Cut\u2026 Or is It?<\/h2>
![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_ls-one-third-rule-illustration-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> As the temperatures start cooling in El Paso, you may assume it’s time to put away your lawn mower for the season. However, it’s important to continue mowing your lawn regularly until it stops growing, which typically happens when temperatures consistently drop below 50 degrees during the day, often in late November<\/strong>.<\/p>
While the mowing frequency may be less in the fall than in the summer, about twice a month, mowing is still vital. In addition, keep your mower blades sharp<\/a> and adjust the cutting height as needed to prevent damaging the grass or scalping the lawn. <\/p>
A good rule of thumb is never to remove more than one-third<\/strong> of the grass blade at a time, but you can use the table below to adjust the cutting height based on your grass type:<\/p>
- Disconnect the system from the water supply<\/strong> and drain the lines to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
- Leaf removal costs<\/a> between $165 and $485<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Develop fungal diseases,<\/strong> like brown patch
- 2. Keep Watering<\/a><\/li>
![\"Lawn](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Aerate-Tool.jpg\")
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/aeration.jpg\")
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/rsz_1280px-stellaria_media_common_chickweed_\u10df\u10e3\u10dc\u10df\u10e0\u10e3\u10d9\u10d8-2.jpg\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Overseed-Lawn.jpg\")
![\"image](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/mulch.jpg\")