Fall is upon us. There is a chill in the air. It’s raining every two days. Fire places are starting to glow in the evenings. The last thing on your mind is taking care of your lawn. This is the time when homeowners tend to get “lazy” with their lawn. One word of advise. Don’t. Everything that is done in the fall (or not done) effects your spring grass. It determines the good, the bad, and the ugly. Literally. Here are some fall lawn tips to improve your spring lawn.
Fall Lawn Tips:
- Continue Mowing – Fall is the perfect time for grass. Cool temps., rainfall, and moderate sunlight. This creates the perfect environment for grass growth. In short, your lawn is still growing and it needs to be cut (maybe even more frequent).
- Mow Properly – Yes, there is such a thing. In the summer, we like lawns to be mowed high to preserve moisture and fight against invasive weeds (among other things). The fall is different. This is the time to start lowering your lawn mower blades. It needs to be a gradual process. DO NOT lower your blades all at once. Doing this will shock your grass. The goal is to gradually lower your blade so that the last 2 cuts of the season are on the shortest setting.
- Aeration – This is the process of making thousands of small holes in your lawn. These holes reduce thatch and breakup the soil. This allows fertilizer, water, & oxygen to the reach grass roots.
- Overseeding – Overseeding at the time of core aeration is a great way to fill in any thin or bare areas. This is also the best way to incorporate a better seed blend. This creates a thick, green, and healthy lawn.
- Fertilization – Fall is the best time to grow roots. Late fall fertilizing improves root growth and food storage for spring. Give your lawn an extra boost now. It will green up earlier in the spring.
- Soil Sample – Get one. A soil test is the only way to tell if your lawn is missing any nutrients. Soil sampling is an effective way to figure out what’s going on with your lawn below the surface.
If you want a better spring lawn, don’t stop taking care of your lawn in the fall. For further lawn tips and tricks follow our blog.
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