Guide

Winter Lawn Care in the East Valley: Overseeding, Watering and Mowing

Overseeding, watering and mowing through the cool months, from Family Tree Trimming LLC in Apache Junction. Call or text (480) 340-7907.

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Quick answer: Most East Valley lawns are Bermuda grass, which slows down and turns tan when the nights get cool. You have two choices for winter: let the Bermuda go dormant and water much less, or overseed with rye grass in fall for a green lawn through winter. If you overseed, the seed needs short, frequent watering to sprout, then deeper, less frequent watering once it is up, and regular mowing all winter. Either way, turn the irrigation timer down from the summer schedule.

Winter is the easy season for lawns in Apache Junction, Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek, but a few choices in the fall decide how your yard looks until spring. Here is how to handle winter lawn care in the East Valley.

Option 1: let the Bermuda go dormant

A dormant Bermuda lawn is not dead. It turns tan, stops growing and greens back up as it warms in spring. Letting it go dormant saves water and mowing all winter. A dormant lawn still needs an occasional watering so the roots do not dry out completely, and it helps to keep it clear of leaves and debris.

Option 2: overseed with rye grass

Many Arizona lawns are overseeded with rye grass in fall for winter color. The rye grows through the cool months and fades out as the Bermuda comes back in late spring. It looks great, but it means watering and mowing through the winter.

How overseeding works

Timing: overseed in fall once the nights have cooled off and the Bermuda has slowed down
Mow low: cut the Bermuda short and rake or bag the clippings so the seed can reach the soil
Spread evenly: spread the rye seed evenly across the lawn, going over it in two directions
Keep it moist: water lightly a few times a day until the seed sprouts, so the top of the soil does not dry out
Ease off: once the new grass is up and growing, water deeper and less often
First mow: wait until the new grass is tall enough to cut cleanly, and use a sharp blade

Winter watering

Lawns, trees and plants all use less water when it is cool, so turn the timer down instead of leaving it on the summer schedule. Water in the morning, not at night, so the grass dries during the day. Soggy spots, water running into the street or mushrooms in the lawn are signs of too much water. Dry patches despite watering can point to a broken line or a clogged or broken sprinkler head. See should I change my irrigation schedule in winter? and irrigation.

Winter mowing

An overseeded rye lawn keeps growing all winter, so it still needs regular mowing and edging to look sharp. Keep the mower blade sharp so it cuts the grass cleanly instead of tearing it. A dormant Bermuda lawn needs little or no mowing until spring.

Frost and cold nights

On frosty mornings, stay off the lawn until the frost melts, since walking on frozen grass can damage it. Hard freezes are not common in the low desert, but cold nights can hurt frost-tender plants. See how to protect your plants from frost.

Leaves and debris

Leaves, palm fronds and branches left on the lawn block light and hold moisture. Rake or blow them off regularly, and trim back trees that drop a lot onto the grass. See tree trimming.

Thinking about less lawn?

If you are tired of watering and mowing, winter is a good time to plan a change. A lawn-to-drip conversion swaps grass for desert plants on drip, and artificial grass stays green without water or mowing. See the lawn-to-drip conversion guide and the artificial grass guide.

Get help with your lawn

Family Tree Trimming LLC handles weekly or biweekly mowing, edging and trimming, overseeding and seasonal care, along with tree trimming, landscaping and irrigation. Cody, the owner, gives you an honest, upfront price. Call or text (480) 340-7907, email [email protected] or use the contact page. See lawn care.