October Lawn Care: Shifting from Summer to Fall Preparation
TL;DR Summary
Late October is bringing Houston its first real cold front, and that means it’s time to shift from summer lawn care to fall preparation. Michael Romine from Houston Grass shares what you need to know this month—how to handle brown patch fungus, repair chinch bug damage, apply pre-emergent and fertilizer, and adjust watering as temperatures drop. He also explains why fall is one of the best times to install new sod in the Houston area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Lawn Care in October
As Houston heads into cooler weather, homeowners often have questions about adjusting their lawn care routines. From fighting brown patch and chinch bugs to knowing when to fertilize or plant new sod, fall brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions we hear this time of year at Houston Grass, based on decades of experience growing and delivering top-quality sod from our family farm in Bay City, Texas.
Houston’s First Real Cold Front — What It Means for Your Grass
October has stayed hot longer than usual, but cooler nights are finally here. Temperatures dropping into the 40s and 50s will slow down grass growth and can trigger lawn issues like brown patch fungus if you’re not prepared.
Grass across Houston is still green and growing well, but this cold front is the signal to transition your lawn care routine for fall.
Chinch Bug Damage: Identify, Treat, and Replace
The Dry Weather Problem
With limited rain since early summer, chinch bugs have remained active in many Houston-area lawns. These pests thrive in hot, dry conditions and kill St. Augustine grass as they feed.
How to Recover from Chinch Bugs
Once chinch bugs damage your grass, those patches will not recover. Here’s what to do:
- Spray with Roundup or a similar herbicide to kill the damaged area.
- Remove the dead grass using a sod cutter or shovel.
- Add topsoil to level the area.
- Install new sod — fall is a perfect time for planting.
Houston Grass sells and delivers sod year-round, and cooler temperatures mean a smaller water bill and easier establishment.
Brown Patch Season Has Arrived
How to Spot Brown Patch
Brown patch fungus appears as circular patches with bright yellow edges. When the entire area turns a uniform brown, the fungus has gone dormant.
How to Prevent or Treat It
- Use Heritage G fungicide before you see the problem.
- Preventive rate = half the amount (and cost) of a curative treatment.
- Apply Heritage G before or just after a rain for best results.
- Cut back on watering — excess moisture fuels the fungus.
Cool, damp weather plus overwatering is the perfect recipe for brown patch to explode overnight.
Fertilizing and Pre-Emergent for Fall
Nitro-Phos Barricade Pre-Emergent
Apply Barricade from mid-October to mid-November to prevent winter weeds like clover, annual bluegrass, and ryegrass. It forms a protective layer that stops weed seeds from germinating.
Nitro-Phos Fall Special Fertilizer
The brown-bag Fall Special isn’t meant to green your lawn—it’s to strengthen roots for winter.
- Low nitrogen = less top growth, more root health.
- Apply by mid-November for best results.
Why Fall Is a Great Time to Install Sod
Moderate fall temperatures create ideal conditions for new sod to root deeply before winter. Even though the grass will turn brown once dormant, you’re really planting a strong root system that will green up beautifully in spring.
Houston Grass carries fresh St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda varieties year-round and offers delivery and installation.
Adjust Your Watering and Mowing for Cooler Weather
Reduce Watering Frequency
As grass growth slows and days shorten, cut irrigation by 25–50%.
- Overwatering increases brown patch risk.
- Twice-a-week watering is usually plenty for pop-up or rotor heads.
Adjust Mowing Height
You can lower your mowing height slightly now for appearance, but raise it again as winter approaches to protect roots from cold snaps.
Clean Up Leaves and Yard Debris
Falling leaves can smother your grass and promote thatch buildup.
- Remove leaves regularly instead of mulching thick layers.
- Think of it like “throwing a board on your lawn”—too much coverage blocks sunlight and air.
Optional Fall Projects
Core Aeration
Fall is an excellent time to core aerate your lawn. Aeration reduces soil compaction and improves oxygen and water flow to roots.
Skip the Ryegrass Overseeding
Some homeowners overseed with ryegrass to keep their lawns green all winter, but Michael doesn’t recommend it. Ryegrass competes with your permanent grass for nutrients and water when the permanent grass greens up in springtime, delaying spring green-up.
Final Thoughts
As we move into November, lawns across Houston will soon go into “cruise control.” Keep an eye out for brown patch over the next few weeks, cut back watering, and enjoy the break from mowing.
Houston Grass remains open year-round (except Thanksgiving week and the week between Christmas and New Year’s) for sod sales, delivery, and installation. Call 281-431-7441 to get advice from our experts or to order the grass and products your lawn needs.
