October usually brings some welcome changes to the lawn. The days are getting shorter, nights are getting cooler, and hopefully we’re finally getting a break from the summer heat.

Your grass may be slowing down, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing happening out there.

Actually, some of the weeds that drive you crazy next spring are getting their start in the fall.

That’s why October is an important month for lawn care.

Missed September? You May Still Have Time

We talk about fall pre-emergent every September, but don’t get too hung up on a date on the calendar.

Soil temperature is what you really want to watch.

Texas A&M AgriLife recommends making fall pre-emergent applications when soil temperatures decrease to around 70°F for four or five consecutive days. That timing is tied to the germination of winter annual weeds such as annual bluegrass. Depending on where you live in Texas and what the weather is doing, that window can fall in September or October.

So if you didn’t get your pre-emergent down in September, don’t automatically assume you missed your chance.

Check that soil temperature.

Why Put Down Pre-Emergent in the Fall?

Think of pre-emergent as getting there before the weeds do. Winter annual weeds germinate in the fall, live through the cooler months and become much more noticeable later. By spring, you’re looking at weeds in the lawn and wondering where they all came from.

They didn’t suddenly show up in March. Many of them got started months earlier. A properly timed fall pre-emergent helps prevent susceptible weed seeds from successfully establishing in the first place. That’s why timing matters so much.

And remember, pre-emergent is just that: pre-emergent. It isn’t intended to make established weeds disappear.

What Should You Use?

There are several good options, and the right one depends on what you’re trying to prevent.

At Johnson Feed, Gallery is one of the products we recommend when broadleaf weeds are the concern. Gallery is a pre-emergent herbicide labeled for control of certain broadleaf weeds in established turfgrass.

Dimension is another fall pre-emergent option. Gallery and Dimension can also complement each other where their labels allow, broadening pre-emergent control across annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.

For customers looking for an organic approach, the client also recommends corn gluten meal as an option.

The important thing isn’t grabbing the first bag that says “weed control.” Think about the weeds you’ve had trouble with in the past, make sure the product is appropriate for your lawn, and always follow the label.

Not sure? Bring your questions with you. That’s what we’re here for.

One Important Warning: Planning to Overseed?

This one is easy to overlook. A pre-emergent doesn’t know the difference between a weed seed you don’t want and grass seed you’re trying to grow.

Texas A&M turf specialists specifically caution against applying pre-emergent to an area where you’re trying to establish seed.

So if overseeding is part of your fall lawn plan, don’t automatically spread pre-emergent over the same area. Check the product label and plan accordingly.

What About Fall Fertilizer?

October can also be a good time to give certain warm-season lawns their final feeding before winter, but this is another place where we don’t recommend blindly throwing fertilizer on the lawn just because it’s fall.

As the days get shorter and nights get cooler, warm-season turf begins slowing down. For St. Augustine, for example, Texas A&M recommends finishing normal fertilization several weeks before the first expected frost and then using a low-nitrogen, higher-potassium fertilizer at that point, with specific nitrogen limits.

The right fall fertilizer program depends on your grass, your lawn and your timing. If you aren’t sure what your lawn needs, come talk to us before you put something down.

A Little Work Now Can Mean Fewer Weeds Later

Fall lawn care isn’t about trying to keep your grass growing like it’s May.

It’s about getting ahead of what’s coming next. Watch your soil temperature. Get your pre-emergent down at the right time. Choose a product that fits the weeds you’re trying to prevent. And give the lawn what it needs as it begins heading toward winter.

Come spring, you might be pretty glad you did.

Need Gallery, Dimension, corn gluten meal or help figuring out what makes sense for your lawn? Stop by and talk to us. We’re always happy to help.