Posted on October 16th, 2014
Many people think that when summer ends, so does yard work, but the truth is, fall is the best time to get your lawn ready for winter and primed for a great start in the spring. By taking advantage of the cooler weather, generally damper conditions and the death of summer’s weeds, you can get a real head start on next year’s growing season.
One of the most important things you can do for your lawn in the fall is to give it a vigorous raking to remove all the dead grass and weeds and clean up the thatch that has built up over the summer from mowing. Strong raking also helps break up surface tension that can cause water to run off so that when you apply fertilizer and water it in, the ground will absorb it better.
Here are several other tips for fall lawn clean up and preparation that will help protect and nourish your lawn for next year:
Keep mowing As long as your grass is still growing, keep mowing it to promote healthy growth. While you should keep your grass longer in the summer, as the growing season ends, shorten it up to help prevent disease and pests from taking shelter in longer grass. Increasingly shorten it over several mowing so as not to stress the grass. You should end up with your grass about one-third shorter than the summertime length of approximately 3-3.5 inches. Your final cut may be lowered to about 2inches. Bag your clippings on your final mow.
Aerate Soil becomes compacted over time, prohibiting oxygen and water from fully reaching grass roots. Aerating punches small, regularly-spaced holes in the ground that enables air and water circulate better.
Winterize If you have an in-ground sprinkler system don’t forget to drain it for winter to prevent freeze damage.
Fertilize Summer can be brutal on lawns, exhausting the minerals and nutrients plants need for growth and good health. Fall fertilization puts back much of those resources so your lawn will have the vital nutrients it needs in the spring.
Put down extra seed did you develop bare spots and thin areas in your lawn over the summer? Fall is the perfect time to plant new grass and get it established before snow flies. Then when spring rolls around, your lawn will have a fresh, new lease on life with thicker, healthier grass.
If you commit yourself to following these tips and putting in a little extra work this fall, you can have a greener, healthier, more beautiful lawn next year. For an even better lawn, talk to the lawn care professionals at Turf Unlimited. We’ve got the expertise, experience, and professional-grade equipment to give you the best lawn possible. Call us at 888-649-9919 for more information and a quote, email us, or visit our website.
