How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter in Stone Gate 1: Expert Tips from Texas A&M AgriLife
With Halloween just around the corner and cooler air finally making its way to Texas, it’s time for residents of Stone Gate 1 to turn their attention to winter lawn care. After a punishing summer marked by drought and extreme heat, turfgrass across much of the region is already under stress—and according to experts at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, that makes fall lawn prep more important than ever.
Why Fall Lawn Care Matters More This Year
“Lawns that are stressed by drought or poor maintenance going into the winter are less likely to survive the season in good shape,” says Dr. Becky Bowling, turfgrass specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. “They may be slower to green up in the spring or suffer from issues like winterkill or spring dead spot.”
Dr. Bowling, whose research focuses on turfgrass stress management and water conservation, emphasizes that while many homeowners assume grass doesn't need much attention in the fall, proactive care can make all the difference for next year’s growth.
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What Texas Homeowners Should Be Doing Right Now
Here’s what the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommends for fall and early winter lawn care:
1. Water Properly Before the First Freeze
Even though growth slows in the fall, grass still needs moisture. According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, turfgrass typically needs about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season or until dormancy sets in, whether from rainfall or irrigation. Avoid overwatering, especially late in the evening, to reduce the risk of fungal growth and freezing damage.
2. Apply the Right Fertilizer
Late fall is the time to use a fertilizer with higher potassium content (the third number in an N-P-K ratio), which strengthens roots and improves winter hardiness. AgriLife Extension recommends avoiding high-nitrogen fertilizers this time of year, as they may promote tender growth that is vulnerable to freeze damage.
3. Don’t Scalp the Lawn
As fall progresses, it’s a good idea to gradually lower your mower height slightly—but never scalp the lawn. Cutting too low can expose the soil and grass crowns to cold temperatures and increase weed invasion.
4. Rake and Remove Debris
A buildup of leaves can block light, trap moisture, and encourage lawn diseases. Texas A&M AgriLife recommends either removing leaves or mulching them finely with a mower to return nutrients to the soil.
5. Consider Aeration for Compacted Lawns
If your lawn feels hard underfoot or shows signs of compaction, fall is a good time to aerate, especially for warm-season grasses common in Texas like Bermuda and St. Augustine. Core aeration opens the soil, allowing better water and nutrient movement to the roots.
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Dormant Doesn’t Mean Dead
AgriLife specialists remind homeowners that most Texas turfgrasses—such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine—go dormant during the winter. That means brown grass isn’t necessarily a problem. As Bowling notes, “Dormancy is a natural protective mechanism. What you do in the fall helps ensure it comes back healthier in the spring.”
For more region-specific lawn advice and seasonal maintenance tips, visit the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Lawn & Garden Resources or contact your local county extension office.
By preparing now, Stone Gate 1 homeowners can give their grass the best chance to thrive when warm weather returns.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
