Fall In Love With Your Lawn Again

Even though summer is winding down, fall is a great time to give some love to your lawn. After all the stress and traffic its seen this summer chances are it could use some attention. Think about completing some of these simple tasks for a greener lawn next spring.

Feed

The secret to a healthy lawn is two fall feedings. As mentioned, the stress of summer heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic can reck havoc on your lawn. Applying lawn food can help replenish worn-out grass so it recovers quicker and better. Plus, a fall feeding provides noticeable greening and helps give roots a pre-winter nutrient boost. The extra nutrients help establish deeper roots making for a stronger and earlier start to a green lawn come spring. You should follow up with a second feeding 6-8 weeks after your first fertilization.

In addition to your feeding, fall is also a great time to kill several types of lawn weeds including clover and dandelion

Water

Believe it or not, your lawn still needs watered in the fall. Regularly taking the time to water your lawn helps it recover from summer stress and gain enough strength for the winter ahead. Remember, your lawn is trying to store up nutrients, and continuing to water will further assist with fertilizer absorption.

Spruce

Is your lawn showing wear and tear by way of bare or thinning spots? Consider an overseeding to fill in and thicken up your lawn. When overseeding you’ll want to keep the soil moist, try to make it out for a light watering once a day or as needed until the seedlings have reached mowing height.  

Mulch Your Leaves

Don’t let the tree leaves smother your lawn, they block vital sunlight resulting in thin grass. Ditch the rake and mulch your leaves into dime-sized pieces with your lawnmower before applying one of your fall feedings. This will help to break down the leaves and allow your lawn to absorb their nutrients.

Mow Your Lawn Shorter

In late fall drop your mower down and cut your lawn 1 to 2 inches shorter that you typically do. Continue to mow at the shorter height until your grass stops growing in early winter. The ideal height is 2 to 2 ½ inches high by wintertime, this way it’s not too tall to invite snow mold but not too short to be stressed out by cold weather.

Winterize Your Mower

Really, winterize everything outdoors. Put your outdoor cushions away, hoses, and haul the grill and furniture into storge until net year. Clean your mower and empty the gas tank, check spark plugs, spraying them with aerosol will prevent corrosion, and ensure your battery is fully charged to a reading of 12.7 volts. This will give you a fresh start for next spring. You’ll keep everything from rusting if you clean them up before you hang them up.