Best Practices for Lawn Maintenance during Fall

< Back to Blog

Early fall in Florida is usually accompanied by plenty of afternoon showers and looming storms. During this season, Greenscapes can help to especially care for the primary staple of our landscape: the turf. Here are our best practices towards proper lawn management during the season of excess rain.

Mowing - Do not get the grass cut if it is too wet. If the grass is cut while wet, the left-over clumps will end up laying on top of the roots and drying out an entire patch. Also, there will be a good chance ruts can be created on turf with the weight of the lawnmower, even if it is a push mower.

When the lawn has dried up a bit, ensure that the grass cut length is at the highest setting possible. A tall grass blade during rainy seasons will encourage it to grow roots deeper in for a healthier lifespan. Cutting the grass too short (scalping) will stress the turf and make it susceptible to disease.

Weed-eating and bed-edging – During and in between heavy rains, it is best not to edge any lawn, however once it starts drying up it can resume.

Fertilization – Avoid, if possible, fertilizing just before heavy rains. The excess rains tend to wash out any liquid fertilizations, however if granular is put down this can be better embedded into the turf as a slow release fertilizer.

Irrigation – Although often people think irrigation does not need to be turned on during the rainy season, it is best if it is kept on a regular schedule albeit for less time. It is best to have a rain sensor attached to your clock/timer.

A rain sensor is a device that is mounted on your property to monitor rainwater. The rain sensor is connected to your in-ground irrigation system. When the device collects enough rainwater, the sensor stops your sprinkler system from watering your lawn. This special rain sensor helps you give your lawn and garden the water it needs, without overwatering during times of heavy precipitation. A rain sensor also helps prevent water waste caused by over watering your lawn.

If you do not have a rain sensor and would like Greenscapes to install one for you, please contact us.

Finally, you should avoid walking on the wet grass if possible. It may be frustrating to wait for the water to completely subside, it is however best to keep in mind that all good things come to those who wait. The heavy rains normally show areas where flooding occurs, or dollar weeds have formed. If you need help in evaluating your lawn, please contact Greenscapes.