1. Raise your mowing height!
Mow high in the fall. This creates a buffer zone that will help insulate the root system against cold injury or freeze damage.
2. Mowing Schedule Recommendations
Be sure to mow at least bi-weekly during the October and November months and once a month in December, January, and February to keep your lawn looking good. Make sure you keep your lawn free of leaves and trash and remember RAISE your mowing height to insulate the root system of your turf.
3. Use a winter fertilizer
Applying a winter fertilizer will encourage your turf to develop a stronger and healthier root system. Your lawn’s root system is still active during winter months even though color and growth will wane.
4. Water before cold spells!
If you run your sprinkler system before a cold spell arrives, this will keep the soil temperature higher adding extra protection for your turf from cold/freeze damage.
5. Check Sprinkler system Now
Check all sprinkler heads to ensure they are all retracting and functioning properly to give you good water coverage on your entire lawn. Be sure to set your watering schedule according to Winter recommendations for your turf.
6. St. Augustine Lawn
Inevitably, your St. Augustine lawn will develop a fungus called “brown patch”. This is a fleshy tissue disease and will usually not affect the stolons of the plant. That means that though it is an unsightly pest, it is usually not fatal to a healthy lawn, however … this condition does weaken your turf and make it more susceptible to cold/winter damage. To minimize the chances or effects of this disease, be sure to water during daylight hours in the fall & winter.
