Fall Watering for Your Lawn and Garden

After a long summer, it’s time to change gears and turn your focus towards proper lawn and garden care for the fall. Today we’re answering questions to get to the bottom of a popular lawn care myth – that your lawn and garden do not need watering throughout autumn.

Do I need to water my lawn and garden in the fall?

We hear this question a lot, and the answer is yes,– you still need to water in the fall. While your grass and plants do require more water during the hot summer months, they still require some watering in the fall to prepare for cooler weather. Grass that enters the winter months in good condition will be better prepared to thrive in the spring.

When should I stop watering my lawn? 

Depending on when the temperature begins to drop in your region, you will want to gradually reduce how much and how often you water your lawn. The evaporation process slows down in the fall, with less heat and sun, so you’ll want to adjust the amount of water-based on the type of plants you have and the conditions – typically aiming for one inch of water per week. If your region receives more than an inch of water per week, you do not need to water additionally. 

A good rule of thumb is to water your lawn and garden up until frost. Continue watering if the weather is warm and dry or you have recently overseeded with cool-season grass seeds. Keep in mind that your plants need less water in the fall, and if they receive too much water, it can put them at risk of fungus and disease. 

Do plants grow in the fall? 

Different plants have different needs, but the fall is an active time for many plants to strengthen root systems and transition into dormancy. Warm days and cool nights support plants, like shrubs and perennials, to spread and anchor their roots and recover after a hot summer. If your region is experiencing a particularly dry fall (especially early in the season), offering light watering will prevent your plants from dehydrating before winter.  

Prepare for fall with the Cultivation Experts. 

We offer several products and resources to help homeowners prepare their lawn and garden for every season. Check out Simple Lawn Care Tips & Best Grass Seed for Fall to learn more about equipping your lawn for cooler weather and conditions. See our featured cool-season grass seeds for overseeding this fall. 

Featured cool-season grass seeds