October 2026 Fall Newsletter
Fall Lawn Care in Pinellas County: Watering, Fertilizer & Planting Tips
Fall is here! It's a very exciting time for us, and we hope you enjoy the weather cooling down and the holidays coming right around the corner!
🍂 As we embrace the beautiful fall season, it's time to change our landscaping practices with the changing weather.
This post will discuss essential watering habits to keep your plants thriving during the cooler months and highlight the seasonal changes that affect our local gardens.
This is what is included in our post:
Watering your lawn in Fall - What changes?
Fertilizer ban information, fall fertilizer tips, and lawn problems to watch out for!!
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Fall Landscaping Services
Let's dive into this vibrant season together and explore how to keep your outdoor spaces flourishing!
Watering Your Lawn in Fall 💦 🍂 - What Changes? 🤔
Water restrictions are still in effect. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has extended its Phase III water shortage order through March 31, 2027, so once-a-week watering will continue through fall and winter.
The good news: cooler weather means your lawn needs less water. From November to February, grass grows slower and may go semi-dormant. Some browning is normal.
City of St. Petersburg customers (city water, private wells, lakes/ponds):
Even addresses: Saturday only - Odd addresses or no address: Sunday only
Times: 5–9 a.m. OR 7–11 p.m. (properties under 1 acre may use only one time slot)
➡️ www.stpete.org/WaterRestrictions | (727) 892-5300
Reclaimed water users:
Reclaimed water isn't restricted, but the City asks you to water no more than 3 days a week:
Even addresses: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - Odd addresses: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Suggested times are 5–9 a.m. or 7–11 p.m. Low pressure from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. is normal.
Pinellas County Utilities customers (unincorporated county, Pinellas Park, and the beach communities):
City, well, or lake water:
Even addresses water on Tuesday. Odd or no address waters on Thursday.
Reclaimed water: Even addresses water on Tuesday and/or Sunday. Odd addresses water on Monday and/or Thursday.
Times: 12:01–4 a.m. OR 8–11:59 p.m. (properties under 1 acre may use only one window)
City of Gulfport customers: Watering days are based on the last digit of your address. 0 or 1: Monday | 2 or 3: Tuesday | 4 or 5: Wednesday | 6 or 7: Thursday | 8, 9, or no address: Friday Times: 12:01–4 a.m. OR 8–11:59 p.m. Please confirm your day with Gulfport Utilities: (727) 893-1016
➡️ mygulfport.us/utilities/
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Good to know:Â Hand watering and drip irrigation for plants and beds are allowed any day, before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Lawns can only be watered on your assigned day. Fines start at $193 with no warnings.
Best time to water:Â Early in the morning, in the allowed window for your area. This minimizes evaporation and reduces the risk of lawn disease.
Information gathered from official utility websites and with help from AI tools, current as of October 2026. Rules can change, so always confirm with your water utility or watermatters.org.
The Summer Fertilizer Ban Is Over! 🌱
Did you know Pinellas County bans most lawn fertilizer every summer? From June 1 to September 30, fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus can't be sold or applied. During the rainy season, fertilizer washes off lawns into storm drains, which lead straight to our lakes, Tampa Bay, and the Gulf, where it feeds algae blooms like red tide.
As of October 1st, you can fertilize your lawn again.
A few simple best practices for the DIY guys and gals
Keep fertilizer at least 10 feet from seawalls, ponds, and other water.
Choose a product with at least 50% slow-release nitrogen.
Skip phosphorus (the middle number on the bag) unless a soil test shows you need it.
Don't fertilize right before heavy rain.
Sweep granules off driveways and sidewalks.
On reclaimed water? You may need less fertilizer, since reclaimed water already carries nutrients.
ALWAYS follow the label!
If you have a spray company, they should be handling all of this for you. You can still help them treat your lawn correctly. Let them know your water source and your assigned watering day, so they can time treatments and make sure products get watered in. Tell them right away if you notice anything unusual.
Fall problems to watch for
Yellow or brown patches near driveways and sidewalks can be a sign of chinch bugs. They love drought-stressed St. Augustine grass. These little pests can cause damage very quickly to your lawn and can be a challenge to get rid of. Early detection is important!
Circular yellow or brown rings that grow outward are often a fungus called large patch. It shows up as nights get cooler.
Chewed or ragged grass blades can mean armyworms or sod webworms, which are common in early fall.
The sooner your spray company knows, the easier it is to treat.
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Fall Is a Great Time to Put Plant Material in the Ground! 🪏🪴🏡
Thinking about adding some plants or installing sod before the holidays get here!?
The cool season is a great time to install landscaping on your property!
Plants focus on root growth outside of the growing season, which makes Fall a great time for planting and sod! It's the perfect way to refresh your outdoor space just in time for cooler weather and holiday gatherings with friends and family!
Fall is great for:
Landscaping - A fresh, welcoming look for your home!
Plant installation - Out with the old, in with the new!
Sod installation - Finally ready for that new lawn!?
Mulch / Rock / Shell installation - Give your outdoor space a finished look!
Seasonal trimming (crape myrtles, hibiscus, and other plants) - Ask about special gardening services.
This is a small landscaping job we did that shows how much of a transformation a few small plants and some shell can make!!
Check out more transformations at the links below:
Call, text, or email us if you need anything landscaping-related!
727-459-8472 or Info@PinellasPremium.com
From all of us at Pinellas Premium, enjoy the cooler weather and happy fall!
Sincerely,
Warren Ayotte and the whole Pinellas Premium Team
(727) 459-8472 | PinellasPremium.com
