Make your landscape fall-tastic!

Fall is a beautiful time in the Permian Basin!  Fall brings cooler days and nights, so the landscape feels more hospitable. The shift in temperature helps highlight earth tones and offers a more comfortable time to be outdoors. Taking care of your lawn and landscape in the Fall is crucial for ensuring a healthy yard throughout the colder months and a strong recovery in the spring. In the Fall, your lawn and landscape undergo several natural changes as plants and grass prepare for the colder winter months. Grass growth slows down, and leaves drop in preparation for the winter months ahead, plants and perennials enter dormancy. There are several changes that happen as nature runs its course during the change of seasons.   

Key must do list:

• Clean up debris, leaves & dead plant material
   
•  Mulch and compost
   
•  Prune selectively & shape shrubs & trees
   
•  Adjust / winterize irrigation systems 

•  Fertilize & provide nutrients (if needed) 

•  Weed control 

•  Plant or transplant 

•  Plan ahead & inventory tools / supplies 

•  Monitor & maintain through fall and early winter
   

I've put together some helpful tips and reminders to keep your on track. But if you'd rather leave it to the pros, Lawn and Tree Tech is here to help. Just give me a call at 432-934-1104 and let’s talk about your lawn, your goals, and how we can keep your yard healthy and beautiful all year long.

✅ 1.  Ease up on watering — but don’t quit 

•  Cooler days mean your lawn needs less frequent irrigation, yet fall winds and dry air can still stress roots. 
•  Water deeply once or twice a week instead of shallow daily watering. 
•  Early morning watering helps reduce evaporation. 
•  Check your irrigation timer and rain sensor — adjust to seasonal needs. 

✅ 2.  Feed your grass before dormancy 

• Fall is the best time to strengthen roots for winter. 
•  Use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer (often labeled “winterizer”). 
•  Apply in late September through early November, depending on the first frost. 
•  This helps Bermuda, buffalo, and zoysia grass store nutrients for spring green-up. 

✅ 3. Water Early and Deeply

• Water before 10 a.m., 1–2 times per week, applying about 1 inch of water each time. Avoid shallow, frequent watering. 

✅ 4.  Overseed thin patches 

•  Use perennial ryegrass for temporary cool-season color, or native seed mixes for long-term restoration. 
•  Keep seeds moist until established.
   

 ✅ 5.  Control weeds early 

•  Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early fall to block winter weeds like henbit or annual bluegrass. 
•  Spot-treat existing weeds with selective herbicides — follow label directions carefully. 

✅ 6.   Rake and mulch leaves 

•  Even a light layer of mesquite or elm leaves can smother grass.
•  Mulch leaves instead of bagging — shredded organic matter improves soil health.
•  Clean up fallen debris to discourage pests and mold. 

✅ 7.  Winterize irrigation & tools 

•  Drain hoses and irrigation lines if freezes are expected.
•  Store or cover spigots. 
• Clean, sharpen, and oil garden tools for next season.
   

✅ 8.    Enjoy the West Texas fall

Cool mornings, golden light, and open skies make fall the perfect time to work outdoors — and the best season to prepare your lawn for a healthy spring comeback. 

Fall in the Permian Basin is the perfect time to refresh and protect your landscape and flower beds. As temperatures cool, trim back faded blooms, remove weeds, and add a layer of fresh mulch to retain moisture and insulate roots. Mix in compost or organic matter to enrich the soil and prepare beds for spring planting. Keep watering deeply but less often, and plant hardy perennials or seasonal color like pansies and violas while the soil is still warm. A little fall care now keeps your lawn and flower beds healthy, vibrant, and ready to bloom beautifully next season. 

✅ 1.   Refresh Your Beds  

• Remove faded summer plants, weeds, and debris. Clean edges around beds and top them off with 2–3 inches of fresh mulch to lock in moisture, prevent erosion, and insulate roots from sudden cold snaps. 

✅ 2.   Feed the Soil 

• West Texas soils can be dry and compacted after a long summer. Work in compost, cotton burr, or organic matter to boost nutrients and improve soil texture before winter dormancy sets in.  

✅ 3.   Plant Cool-Season Color  

• Add pops of fall and winter color with hardy blooms like pansies, violas, dianthus, and snapdragons. These thrive in cooler weather and brighten up landscapes when most plants fade.
   

 ✅ 4.   Adjust Your Watering 

• Cut back on irrigation, but don’t stop completely. Deep, infrequent watering helps plants establish strong roots while preventing stress from the dry West Texas air. 

✅ 5.   Trim & Tidy Shrubs 

• Lightly prune overgrown shrubs and perennials after they finish blooming. Avoid heavy pruning before frost—just shape and remove dead or damaged growth. 

✅ 6.   Add Fall Fertilizer 

• Use a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer to strengthen roots before winter. This prepares lawns and flower beds for a quick green-up in spring. 

✅ 7.    Protect Tender Plants

• When cold fronts arrive, cover young or tender plants with frost cloths or burlap. The Basin’s temperature swings can be dramatic, so it pays to be ready.

✅ 8.   Plan for Spring  

• Fall is ideal for transplanting or adding new landscape features like stone borders, native shrubs, or trees. The mild weather allows roots to establish before summer heat returns. 

These tips can help you create a sustainable, attractive landscape that can survive—and even thrive—under the ever changing Fall season conditions of the Permian Basin. 

At Lawn and Tree Tech, we are working year-round to prepare for the next season. We stay one step ahead for our customers to ensure they have a beautiful year-round landscape. Maintaining a beautiful outdoor space is a year-round multi-stepped process. Contact me today for a free consultation! (432) 934-1104