Posted on November 3rd, 2016
Taking care of your lawn and landscape is crucial all year round, but especially so in the fall and spring. Why? Well, in the fall you’re gearing your yard up to take on the cold, dormant winter, and in spring you’re helping it wake back up and setting it up for a prosperous growing season. If you’re looking to do a little DIY fall lawn care this season, you’ll want to do it right. That means avoiding these common landscaping mistakes we see so often.
Mistake #1: Taking too much off the top.
It’s true that cutting your grass a bit shorter in the fall can help deter leaf piles and make raking a bit easier. However, you don’t want to take it to the extreme. Cutting your grass too short can compromise its ability to sustain the winter months ahead. As a rule of thumb, keep grass blades no shorter than 2 inches.
Mistake #2: Ignoring your watering duties.
Just because the sun isn’t beating down on your precious lawn and shrubs, it doesn’t mean they’re not thirsty. In fact, though we think of the winter as a snowy, wet season, the air is actually very dry. Make sure you’re watering deeply 2-3 times per week for best results.
Mistake #3: Letting the leaves lie where they may.
Sure they may look pretty, but they can kill your precious lawn if left to pile up high. Not only will leaf piles blow your precious grass roots from soaking in the sun, but they can also break down and promote fungal diseases, especially under the snow.
Mistake #4: Treating weeds in winter.
Using weed killers when the temperature drops below 60 degrees can compromise the health of your lawn. The same goes for other types of pesticides. If you do want to apply a preemergent weed killer, do so in early autumn before the weather gets too cold.
Mistake #5: Skimping on the mulch.
Using low-quality mulch will not provide the protection your plants need from the harsh winter weather. It can also infest your soil and plants with fungus or pests. Promote plant health, hydration and growth with the best quality mulch you can find. You’ll be happy you did.
Could you use a hand managing your fall lawn care strategy? If so, allow Turf Unlimited to assist. We offer a variety of professional lawn maintenance and shrub care services to help you keep your lawn looking lush all year round.
To learn more about the lawn care services we offer to Hillsborough County NH, Middlesex County MA and the surrounding areas, call 888-649-9919.
