Fall Lawn Care – It Really is the Best Time

1 222 2 minutes read

Fall is a great time to repair your lawn and prepare it for the harsh winter to come. While it may be dormant to the eye, the root structure of your lawn is still at work.

Fall lawn care is one of the best things you can do to provide for a healthy root system BS and improve the soil quality — just cover these basic rules.

Now is the time to work to control winter weeds with an application of pre-emergent. If you are over-seeding for the winter, do not apply a pre-emergent herbicide because it will hinder the germination of your turf’s seed.

Feeding your lawn with an even application of fertilizer is the best thing you can do to boost a strong spring growth. A 3-1-2 mix is a safe bet but be cautious not to over apply. Try to apply fall fertilizer 2 to 4 weeks before the first frost and always water-in after an application of fertilizer. To ensure you have a proper fertilizer mix, test your soil with an over-the-counter testing kit available from your local garden supply. Or take a test soil sample to your local Agri life extension agent for testing.

Select slow release organic fertilizer for the soil and sod but if you have questions then contact your local garden supply professionals. When applying, follow all instructions on the packaging and water-in as recommended. This is the best way to prepare for cool weather dormancy and protect against winter kill. Water your entire lawn ½ inch per week if rainfall is lacking. Use a moisture meter at root level to measure the amount of moisture in your soil.

Don’t scalp your lawn in the fall, leave it at least 2 inches high, this may vary depending on the grass variety. Continue to mow as long as your lawn is growing.

Make sure your mower blade is sharp and do a little maintenance before putting it away for the winter.

Part of fall lawn care is taking care of fallen leaves. If left on the lawn, leaves can form a wet blanket, smothering your turf and promoting disease. Keep leaves raked and picked up and use them in a compost pile. A small amount of leaves can be mowed and mulched into the lawn.

If you have areas where grass just won’t grow then the fall is a great time for planting and establishing certain groundcover plants.

Remember if you put your lawn to sleep healthy it will wake up healthy in the spring!