October 16, 2025

Every fall, I get asked the same question: “Hey Bob, when should I winterize my sprinkler system?” And it’s a good one. Timing really does matter more than most people think.

Now, maybe you just got your yard dethatched and reseeded. Maybe you’re looking at that forecast and thinking, “Can I squeeze in just one more week of watering?” I hear you. We all want to give our lawn the best chance before winter hits.

So let’s talk about it — friendly, easy to follow, no fluff. Just real-deal advice on how to protect your system and your yard.

Why Timing Really Matters

Here’s the simple truth: once temps drop below freezing, any water left sitting in your sprinkler lines can freeze. And when water freezes, it expands. That’s where the damage starts.

We’re talking: – Cracked lateral lines underground – Broken sprinkler heads – Busted backflow preventers – Hidden leaks that won’t show up until spring

And the worst part? You might not know anything’s wrong until next April, when your system starts up and — boom — water’s bubbling up in your mulch bed or soaking a patch of lawn.

That’s why I always say: it’s not worth pushing your luck.

The Sweet Spot for Winterization in Maryland

Now here in Maryland — and most of the Mid-Atlantic — there’s a pretty solid window we try to stick to:

• October 15 through November 15.

That’s the sweet spot. Most years, we don’t see a serious ground freeze until early or mid-November. But here’s the thing — we’ve had Octobers where temps dipped into the 20s, too. It’s Maryland. You never know.

Here’s how I usually break it down:

• Early October: Great if you’re done watering or heading out of town
• Mid to Late October: Ideal for most folks
• Early November: Still okay, but you’re dancing with frost

If you wait past November 1, you’re gambling. And I’ve seen too many systems lose that bet.

But What If You Just Reseeded?

Ah, the classic fall conundrum! You just had the yard aerated, maybe some dethatching, you dropped fresh seed — and now you need to keep that baby watered.

Totally makes sense. That new grass needs water for 2–4 weeks to establish. You want it to get strong before winter.

Here’s what I tell folks:

• If you seeded early October, you can usually water through late October.
• If you’re pushing into November, start watching those temps real close.

What I Recommend:

Use your sprinkler system through the last week of October — then get it winterized. After that, if you really need to keep watering a bit longer:

• Break out the hose and a small above-ground sprinkler.
• Water manually on warm days.
• Focus on hot spots and reseeded patches.

That way, your underground system is protected, and your new seed still gets what it needs.

The Risk of Waiting Too Long

Some folks say to me, “Bob, I’ll just wait until it gets really cold, then I’ll call you.”

I appreciate the optimism, but that’s not how fall weather works around here. One hard frost — even just one night — and you could be looking at serious damage.

Plus, here’s the other thing:

• Everyone else who waited? They’re calling too.
• Our schedule fills up fast.
• You might end up on a waiting list.

And if your system gets hit with a freeze before we can get there? That’s a rough spring repair bill coming your way.

Don’t let a $150 winterization turn into a $1,200 repair. It’s just not worth it.

TLC Members: You’re Already in Good Hands

If you’re one of our TLC Sprinkler Maintenance Members — you’re covered. We’re already looking out for you.

• We’ll call you to schedule.
• You get priority spots on our calendar.
• We know your system and how to time it based on your yard’s needs.

This is exactly why we built the membership — to take the guesswork and stress out of seasonal care.

“Bob, Is It Too Late?”

Sometimes we get calls in late November, even December. “It froze last night — can you still winterize?”

Well, maybe. If the system hasn’t taken damage yet, we might be able to blow it out and prevent more issues. But we can’t undo what already froze. And we can’t always guarantee that the damage didn’t already start underground.

In those cases, we do our best — and we’ll walk you through next steps if repairs are needed come spring.

But let’s not get to that point, okay?

How to Stay Ahead of the Cold

Want the simple version?

1. Circle October 1 on your calendar.
2. Call us then to book your winterization.
3. Tell us if you reseeded — we’ll help time it.
4. By November 1, play it safe.
5. Join our membership and let us handle it every year.

Final Thoughts from Bob

Look, I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve seen lawns thrive through fall and bounce back strong in spring — because the owners got the timing right.

I’ve also seen cracked pipes, soggy lawns, and big bills — all from waiting just a few days too long.

So here’s my advice: take care of it now. Don’t wait for the frost to roll in. Book your winterization, protect your investment, and relax knowing your system’s in good hands.

And if you’ve got questions — call me. We’ll figure it out together. That’s what I’m here for.

Need to winterize your sprinkler system? Let’s get it on the calendar. Give TLC a call at 410-721-2342, and we’ll make sure you’re all set — no stress, no surprises, just the way it should be.

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