GreenGate Turf & Pest

10/31/2026

Trick or treaters leave when the candy runs out. 🍬
Fire ants leave when you do something about it. 🐜
We can help with that. 💪

10/29/2026

Fall Sprinkler Inspection: Protect Your Lawn From Watering Problems

Fall may bring cooler temperatures to the Houston area, but your lawn still needs attention as the seasons change. While grass may not grow as quickly as it does during the summer, proper watering remains important for maintaining healthy turf. At the same time, cooler temperatures, humidity, and inconsistent rainfall can create new challenges for homeowners who want to keep their lawns looking their best....

Learn why a fall sprinkler inspection matters, how proper irrigation helps prevent lawn fungus, and what Houston homeowners should check before winter.

10/28/2026

Round 8 is here, and so is Volume 14 of the GG Gazette.

This is the last round of the 8-step program for the year. The focus shifts from growth to strength. Our potassium winterizer helps turf build cold tolerance and resist disease, so it has more to work with when spring green-up comes.

Also in this issue:
• Why brown patch is showing up so much right now, and how to tell it apart from chinch bug damage and dry spots
• Watering less as it cools, and only in the morning
• Rodents, ant mounds, and mosquitoes as the weather shifts
• Getting your backflow winterized before the first freeze
• Holiday lights, now booking

https://bit.ly/4shVzCB

10/27/2026

Fall Leaves: Mulch, Bag, or Blow?

When temperatures start to cool, and trees begin dropping their leaves, homeowners face a familiar fall lawn care question: Should you mulch, bag, or blow those leaves away? The answer depends on how many leaves are covering your yard, the type of grass you have, and the overall condition of your lawn. While a few scattered leaves usually aren't a problem, a thick layer can block sunlight, trap moisture, and interfere with healthy grass growth....

Learn whether mulching, bagging, or blowing fall leaves is best for your lawn, plus fall lawn care tips for keeping Houston-area grass healthy.

10/26/2026

Daylight saving time ends this Sunday. ⏰

Before you set the clocks back, check your irrigation timer too. 💧

Some timers adjust on their own. Many don’t.
If yours doesn’t, it can end up running an hour off from what you set.

While you’re in there, take a look at the schedule.
Your lawn needs a lot less water than it did a month ago.
Summer run times and watering days are usually too much now.
Early morning is still the best time to water.

10/21/2026

This is what brown patch looks like.

Last week we mentioned it. Now that the weather has cooled off, this is what to watch for.

Brown patch is a fungus that shows up in St. Augustine lawns when it’s cool and the grass stays wet.
It usually starts as a circle of tan or yellow grass. It can look very donut-like!
Patches can start small and grow to several feet across.
Sometimes the center greens back up and leaves a ring.

Here’s a quick way to check:
Gently tug a few of the affected blades. With brown patch, they often pull right out at the base. The roots usually stay in place.

Other things can look similar, including drought stress, chinch bugs, and dog spots. That’s why it’s worth confirming before you treat.

What helps:
• Water early in the morning, not at night
• Cut back watering now that it’s cooler
• Mow a little higher and keep your blades sharp
• Go easy on nitrogen fertilizer this time of year

If you see a patch like this in your yard, send us a photo and we’ll help you figure out what you’re looking at.

10/20/2026

Palmetto Bugs vs. Cockroaches: What Texas Homeowners Should Know

If you have ever spotted a large, reddish-brown insect scurrying across your garage floor or flying near your porch light, you may have wondered whether you were looking at a palmetto bug or a cockroach. For many Texas homeowners, the distinction can be confusing, especially when these insects appear unexpectedly around the house. The truth is that palmetto bugs are cockroaches....

Learn what a palmetto bug is, how it compares to other cockroaches, which species live in Texas, and how to keep these pests out of your home.

10/19/2026

Before and after on our 8-step fertilization and w**d control program. These photos are about a year apart.

On the left, the lawn is dotted with taller clumps of w**ds. On the right, the turf is thicker, cleaner, and more even.

Weeds tend to move in when grass is thin or stressed. A step-by-step program gives the lawn steady attention instead of a one-time fix. Fertilization helps the grass fill in, and w**d control targets the w**ds that are already there.

Results vary depending on the lawn, the season, and what’s growing in it.

If your yard looks more like the left side, send us a message and we’ll take a look.

https://bit.ly/4dykpIb

10/16/2026

Cool front coming. Time to adjust your sprinklers.

If your irrigation is still running like it’s August, your lawn is about to get more water than it needs.

Cooler temperatures change what your lawn does.
Growth slows down.
The soil dries out more slowly.
Your grass needs a lot less water than it did a few weeks ago.

Overwatering is where problems start this time of year.
Brown patch is a fungus that likes cool, damp weather. Nights in the 50s plus wet grass is exactly what it wants.
Watch for circular brown or yellow patches over the next few weeks.

A few things to do this weekend:
• Cut back your watering days and run times
• Water early in the morning so the grass dries off during the day
• Skip a cycle if you’ve had recent rain
• Mow a little higher, within the recommended range for your grass

If your irrigation is still on its summer schedule, our team can help get it adjusted for fall.

10/15/2026

What Is a Rain Sensor for a Sprinkler System?

Keeping your lawn healthy requires the right balance of water, sunlight, nutrients, and proper maintenance. In Houston, where rainfall can vary significantly throughout the year, managing lawn irrigation can be challenging. One week may bring several days of heavy rain, while the next may be hot and dry. Without a way to respond to changing weather conditions, your sprinkler system may continue running even when your lawn has already received enough water....

Learn how a rain sensor for sprinkler system prevents overwatering, conserves water, and helps keep your Houston lawn healthy year-round.