When to Stop Watering Your Lawn in Fall to Prepare for Winter

Fall is here, and many homeowners ask the same question. When should I stop watering my yard, or should I continue watering in the fall? When it's hot out in the summer, your lawn needs adequate water to stay green and soft. However, once temperatures drop and fall arrives with occasional rains, it is time to adjust the way you water your lawn to prepare it for the colder weather ahead, because the need for lawn irrigation in the upcoming colder months may not be so apparent. However, your lawn may still require ample moisture in the cooler autumn months.

Read this guide to know when to stop watering your lawn in fall, how often to water the lawn in fall, essential fall lawn care tips, and much more.

Why Grass Needs Water in Fall

Keep your grass well-hydrated in the fall to help it withstand winter conditions more effectively and recover healthily in the spring. There are two main reasons to keep watering your lawn in the fall.

First, your lawn has just survived a hot, blazing summer. High temperatures and scorching sun take a toll on your grass, so it needs time to recover and repair itself for the next season. Proper watering in the fall helps alleviate any stress caused by the previous summer's heat. It requires a significant amount of water to repair the damage.

Second, grass becomes dormant over the winter. To survive this dormancy period, the grass blades store water and nutrients to use as needed, and these reserves are utilized first thing in the spring when they begin to grow again. As temperatures drop in the fall, your lawn has a chance to recover and regain its strength before winter arrives. Therefore, they moisture to hibernate over the winter months.

Watering is also essential when sowing grass seed to create a new lawn. Like spring, fall is an excellent time to grow grass, especially cool-season grasses such as hard fescue or perennial ryegrass.

How Much to Water Your Lawn in Fall

Seasonal changes alter your lawn's watering needs. With less heat and sunshine in the fall, your lawn needs less water. However, this doesn't mean that you should stop watering altogether. Lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week in the fall, which can be distributed in two 30-minute watering sessions. In the absence of rain, you must continue watering your grass at its regular rate through the fall. Cooler fall temperatures lead to lower evaporation rates, so a lawn that requires one inch of water each week in the summer will need less water in the fall.

Here are some general rules for how often to water grass in the fall:

• Continue to water as needed until the ground freezes.
• If your region receives one inch or more of rain every week in the fall, you don't need to water your lawn.
• During warm and dry weather, continue to water a few times each week.
• In the case of a new grass or one that has been overseeded, maintain a consistent watering schedule to develop roots and promote growth.

When to Stop Watering Your Lawn in the Fall

Water your lawn in the fall until the grass turns dormant or, when it stops growing, because even if the turf grows slowly, it still requires water. Dormancy is a natural hibernation period during which the lawn rests before resuming growth in the spring.

As a general rule of thumb, stop watering your lawn by the third week of November. In colder and frost-prone areas, you may need to stop watering sooner. However, in warm regions, you may need to water until early December.

The growth rate of grasses in cool weather depends on their type. Cool-season grasses stop growing when temperatures drop below 45°F, whereas warm-season grasses enter a dormancy period at around 55°F. Stop watering cool-season grasses when the ground freezes or nighttime temperatures fall below 40℉ for consecutive days.

Temperature Restrictions

One sign that it's time to stop watering your lawn is when the first hard frost of the year hits. In most areas, the first frost is expected near the end of November and around the fall holiday season. All areas and climates differ, so it is best to check the first frost date of your specific region. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map helps you determine the average annual minimum temperatures in your region. Once the ground freezes, watering is almost useless because the moisture won't reach the grassroots through the frozen ground.

Monthly Fall Watering Schedule

Water your lawn throughout the fall, stopping around the end of November.

September

Summer transitions into fall around mid-to-late September. September is a prime month to sow grass seed or overseed your lawn. During this transitional month, continue watering your lawn as usual and maintain a regular watering schedule.

October

Continue to water your lawn throughout the entire month of October. Continue mowing, aerating, dethatching, and feeding your lawn as part of your fall lawn care maintenance routine. Ensure that you remove the fallen leaves from your lawn to let water penetrate the turf.

November

It's time to stop watering the grass by the end of November. In most regions, fall holidays, or around November 3, are the last days to water the lawn.

December

Winter officially starts in December, but you should have ceased watering the lawn much before this.

When to Turn Off Lawn Irrigation System in Fall

Once nighttime temperatures in your area drop below freezing, it's time to stop using your sprinkler system and winterize it. Winter's extreme low temperatures can damage your lawn sprinkler system. This occurs when water left in the pipes freezes and cracks the delicate pipes and fittings.

 Fall Lawn Care Tips

Along with watering your lawn to care for it during the fall, follow these fall maintenance tips to keep your lawn beautiful in cooler weather while also helping it grow stronger come spring.

Mowing: In the fall, slowly reduce how frequently you mow, as grass growth slows with lower temperatures. Lower the mower height until you achieve a length of one and a half to two inches. Plan your final mow for October or November.

Weeding: When the leaves and snow start to fall, it'll be difficult to get rid of future spring weeds. So, start removing unwanted spring weeds in early fall because fall's cooler temperatures and slow growth provide the perfect environment for them to take over your lawn.

Fertilizing: While not essential, many grasses, especially cool-season grass types, will benefit from a balanced fertilizer. Fertilizing during this season can give your lawn a boost for winter and ensure vigorous growth in spring.

Aerating: Aerate your lawn in the fall to keep the soil from becoming compacted. Poke small holes in your lawn with an aerator or a garden fork, allowing the soil to absorb water, air, and nutrients properly.

Overseeding: Overseeding your lawn around this time can help it recover from any damage done during the summer. This eliminates bare patches in your yard, discourages weed growth, and promotes new grass growth in spring.

Raking the Leaves: Fallen, damp leaves on your lawn can encourage pests and fungal growth. When leaves fall from the tree, they start to decompose, which can cause dead spots on your lawn and provide a home for harmful pests and weeds. So, clear away all the leaves from your grass with the garden rake when possible.

Irrigating: Invest in smart irrigation systems with timers and rain sensors, allowing them to automatically adjust the water amount based on weather conditions. Such watering systems will water less if it has rained or your soil has enough moisture.

The Bottom Line

Properly watering your lawn in the fall is crucial to achieving healthier grass next spring. If you neglect fall watering completely, especially if there's little rain in your area, you risk delaying or even stopping your lawn's winter-readiness. To maintain a healthy yard irrigation schedule in fluctuating autumn weather conditions, consider installing smart sprinklers and a drip irrigation system. These automated irrigation systems allow you to ensure your grass and plants receive the optimal amount of water they need all year.

Continuing to water your lawn in the fall is essential to its success now and in the coming spring.