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Fall lawn care is critical for lush green grass come the Spring. Most people think once the summer days are over, and the harvest is collected, their work is done. The opposite is true. Fall is the most critical time to tend to your lawn after it has gone through the summer heat. The cooler weather is perfect for strengthening grass roots, ridding your lawn of weeds, planting more grass seed and preparing your lawn for winter.
Lawn Mowing
You will want to continue to mow your lawn until it goes dormant for the winter. Mowing frequently is best so that the grass is getting just a “trim”, this way you are not sending the grass into shock by cutting off a large amount of the grass blade. A good rule of thumb is, don’t cut more than 1/3 the total grass height. Also, make sure your mower blade is sharpened. This will give the grass a clean cut, making it more resilient against disease. Leaving the grass too high for the winter can lead to disease, fungus, thatch problems and make it difficult for nutrients to get to the grass roots. Too long of grass can also lead to snow mold.
Rake the Leaves
Fall leaves are so beautiful, it may be tempting to leave them on the ground for “just a little while”. Raking your leaves frequently is an important step of Fall lawn care. Leaving your leaves on the ground can lead to disease and fungus issues as well as contribute to thatch. This in turn will deprive your grass of sunlight and oxygen. If you have a mulcher on your mower, you can mulch your leaves. However, it is still recommended the leaves come off the grass and into the compost pile. Leaves are chalk full of nutrients and once they are broken down in the composter, they will be a great addition to your garden beds and lawn.
Lawn Aeration
Aerating the lawn is more important than a lot of people realize. Aeration leads to the grass roots getting more oxygen and nutrients which will be needed for the long winter ahead. Aerating also helps break down tough compacted soil and thatch, both of which don’t lead to ideal growing conditions. Prepping your lawn by aerating also helps fertilizer and grass seed get to the roots to give them a boost.
Fertilize
Fertilizing the lawn in fall is CRITICAL for its success through the winter and its growth in the spring. Using a fall fertilizer helps the grass roots grow strong and gives the roots the nutrients they will need to get through winter. Not all fertilizers are created equally for every grass type, so it is important to do your research prior to spreading it on your lawn. For example, cool season grass such as bluegrass and ryegrass prefer more nitrogen rich fertilizers in the fall to enhance their root growth while limiting their top growth. This is the fertilizer I use and have had success with, Fall Fertilizer
When you purchase your fertilizer, you will want to make sure you carefully follow the instructions for usage. Overusing the product can result in your lawn being “burnt”. Make sure you set your fertilizer spreader to the correct number, so you give your lawn the correct amount needed, this is not something that you want to guesstimate as you can easily over or under feed your lawn.
Overseeding
Overseeding is important in the cooler months of fall because it gives the grass a chance to develop the strong roots that it will need to survive the winter. A lot of people think summer is the best time for overseeding, this is not true because of the hot, and dry conditions. It is highly recommended to overseed and fertilize right after aerating so the nutrients and seeds can get deeper. I used this seed, Grass seed
Topdressing
Topdressing your lawn is adding a layer of compost or quality soil over your grass. This helps even out bumps in your yard, improve soil quality and add nutrients to your lawn. You simply add a small layer over your lawn, so that the grass will grow through. It is recommended to combine this with the previous recommendations of overseeding, fertilizing and aerating.
Fall Lawn Care You Need To Be Doing
In conclusion, taking care of your lawn during the fall season is crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant yard all year round. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can ensure that your lawn remains lush and green throughout the autumn months. Remember, a little effort now will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. So why not roll up your sleeves and give your lawn the care it deserves? As the saying goes, “a well-maintained lawn is a reflection of a well-maintained home.” So go out there and make your home proud. And as always, keep an eye out for our future articles on lawn care – we’ll be sure to keep the conversation going. Happy fall, everyone!
For more fall gardening and lawn care, check out the post, Fall Bulb Planting