Posted on November 10th, 2015
We’re right in the midst of the fall season, but while winter doesn’t officially begin until late December, the time to start winterizing your lawn is now! The most important thing to remember when it comes to wrapping up fall lawn care is that in order for your grass to survive the winter and be rejuvenated in the spring a well-manicured sendoff is crucial Here are a few tips to help you perfect your final lawn mowing task of the season.
Time it right. Unfortunately timing your last cut of the season isn’t a one size fits all endeavor. What works for one person might not work for the other, and what works one year might be completely different the next. Keep an eye out on your lawn for signs of dormancy. Most cool-season grasses will go dormant by mid-November, while warm-season grasses will likely have stopped growing already. However, while the grass has ceased growing, you’ll want to make sure you perform your final mow while the grass is still green.
Wait until it’s dry. Late fall tends to be rainy and sometimes even snowy. It’s important to make sure you wait for a cool, dry day to mow your lawn to avoid wet, clumping grass clippings. When clippings clump up they shield your grass blades and soil from sunlight, which can be detrimental to their survival. Wet grass is also the perfect breeding ground for fungal diseases.
Spray it first. If you’re applying herbicide to your lawn to kill pesky weeds, make sure to leave ample time — a few days — between spraying and mowing. Mowing just before you apply can actually weaken the effect that the herbicide has on your unwanted in
Cut it correctly. If you live in the New England area you more than likely have cool-season grasses, which should be kept at 2-2½ inches tall. Warm season grasses on the other hand to better at ¾-1½ inches. Keep in mind that you should never remove more than ⅓ of the grass blade in one cutting session.
Sharpen the blade. It’s common for a mower blade to dull throughout the season, so it’s important that you sharpen your blade before you embark on the final mow. This will ensure that your grass receives a nice clean cut for the winter, and is protected from potential fungal diseases.
Not sure you want to go it alone? No problem! Just give Turf Unlimited a call today and our licensed and trained lawn care experts will deliver the perfect end-of-season cut for your yard.
Turf Unlimited is a full service lawn care provider, offering a wide variety of lawn care, fertilization, and pest and weed control services to the Massachusetts or New Hampshire area. For more information about our services call 888-649-9919 and schedule your free, in-home estimate today.
