Let’s face it: Once summer ends, about the only thing you’re thinking about when it comes to lawn care is that ultra-fun job of raking the leaves and making sure the lawn is cleared up for winter.
But the truth is, the secret to delivering a really amazing lawn once spring arrives is to amp up the attention your paying it now. During the autumn months, your lawn is busy absorbing all the water, nutrients and energy it can to endure the long winter ahead.
So take a deep breath, read through our can’t-miss lawn tips and give your grass one last gasp of effort so it can be green and lush once the snow melts.
Mow and water
Make sure you’re still mowing and watering your lawn. Even though the weather has cooled, lawns still need water when it’s dry. Try to water early in the morning and make sure it soaks deep in to the soil.
Also, continue to mow your lawn and it’s a good idea to lower the blade. Better Homes and Gardens suggests cutting to about 2 inches tall for most lawns. Cutting your lawn low in fall does two things: It allows sunlight to reach the crown of the grass and it means less matting under leaves and snow.
Fertilize
Fall is the most important time of year to fertilize because grass grows slower in cooler weather. Popular Mechanics suggests applying a dry lawn fertilizer in mid-to-late fall. Fertilizer delivers the nutrients your grass needs to grow deep roots and be healthy throughout the winter and into spring.
Fill in the bald spots
One of the best times of year to repair dead patches is in the cool, early fall season. Scratch out the bald spot in your lawn and spread a thick layer of a lawn care mixture. Remember to water it regularly.
Seeding in autumn is a good idea not just for bald spots but for the entire lawn. The cool season allows the seeds to become more established once the hot weather arrives.
Aerate
This is the time of year you want to get oxygen, water and fertilizer deep into your lawn’s roots, and you do that by aerating. Aeration also cuts down on thatch, loosens the soil and improves drainage.
Rake!
It’s important to rake often to remove leaves as quickly as possible. If you wait till all the leaves are down, it damages the lawn. Wet leaves, from rain or dew, form a mat over your grass that suffocates your lawn and increases fungal diseases.
Whether you use a rake or a lawnmower with a bag attached, make sure you get rid of leaves as quickly as you can. Mulching is also a good option because it returns organic matter to the soil.
Weed be gone
If you’re sick of seeing all those dandelions and weeds during the spring and early summer, now is your time to attack. Fall is the perfect time to hit your lawn with weed killer because your lawn is busy absorbing everything it can. Be sure to hit your lawn with a herbicide during these months and say goodbye to those ugly weeds once spring arrives.
Fall is when your lawn needs plenty of attention. It’s storing up all the nutrients and water it needs so it can get through winter and deliver a lush, green lawn once spring arrives.
Snappy’s Outdoor Equipment Sales and Service offers all the equipment you will need this fall to clean up and prepare your lawn for winter. We even offer rental equipment to suit all your needs. Call us at 419-558-0612 or stop by our store at 2120 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, OH 45801.
Sources: Better Homes and Gardens and Popular Mechanics.
