If you’ve ever asked, “We turned our water off for the season… do we need to turn it back on after a lawn treatment?” — you’re not alone.
This is one of the most common winter lawn questions we get in North Texas, especially when pre-emergent is part of your lawn health plan.
1) Do I need to water after a pre-emergent application?
Yes. After a pre-emergent is applied, it needs to be watered in within about a week.
Think of it this way: pre-emergent protection works best when it’s moved into the soil where it can form a barrier. Without that water-in step, you may not get the full benefit.
Simple rule of thumb:
If rainfall doesn’t happen soon, plan to run your system enough to water it in (not summer-level watering — just what’s needed to get it into the soil).
2) Should I turn my sprinkler system “off” for winter in North Texas?
In most cases, no — and it’s a common mistake we see: shutting sprinklers off from December to March.
North Texas winters are unpredictable. We can go from warm and dry to a quick cold snap, then back again. During dry stretches, your lawn can still lose moisture — and that’s when winter watering matters most.
The goal is consistent but reduced watering. Moist soil helps insulate roots during cold snaps and helps prevent the lawn from drying out and thinning.
3) “If I don’t turn it off, won’t my sprinkler system freeze and break?”
Great question — and it’s exactly what many homeowners worry about.
In the Dallas area, systems typically survive winter because:
- Freezes are brief,
- Pipes are buried below the frost line, and
- Most controllers/sensors prevent cold-weather operation
Under normal winters, sprinkler systems are generally safe by design.
4) What “winter watering” actually means (so you don’t overdo it)
Winter watering doesn’t mean running your system like July.
It means:
- Lower frequency
- Shorter run times
- Adjusting based on rainfall and temperature
- Keeping enough moisture in the soil so the lawn isn’t stressed going into cold snaps
We also recommend watching for our Winter Watering Guide, which breaks down practical settings for North Texas.
Quick FAQ
Do I need to water after treatment in winter?
If pre-emergent was applied, yes — water it in within about a week.
Should I turn my sprinkler controller off?
Usually no — winter watering is typically “reduced,” not “off”.
Why doesn’t the system freeze in Dallas?
Freezes tend to be brief, pipes are buried below the frost line, and most controllers/sensors prevent cold-weather operation.
Need help?
If you want help setting a winter schedule that fits your lawn and controller, call/text 972-495-6990 or visit villagegreen-inc.com.
