While temperatures start getting cooler, the best time for lawn maintenance begins. Taking the right steps to care for your lawn during the fall will give your lawn a huge boost next spring. Here are some important steps you can take to get the next season off to a great start:
1. Continue Mowing
Keep mowing and watering your lawn as needed. Towards the end of the season, lower the mower blade to the lowest setting for the last few cuts. This will leave less grass to turn brown during the winter.
2. Lawn Aeration
Before fertilizing, it’s a good idea to aerate the lawn so that oxygen, water, and fertilizer can reach grass roots. Aeration pulls plugs out of the lawn providing more space for roots to grow and receive nutrients.
3. Fertilization
If you choose to only fertilize once a year, do it during the fall. As the weather turns cool, grass leaves will slowly grow, but the roots will grow quickly. Fertilizing in the fall will give the grass a boost in the spring when temperatures get warmer and the blades of grass begin growing.
4. Weed Control
To help prevent weeds next spring and summer, apply weed killer to the lawn. Weeds are taking in anything they can get at this point, including herbicides. If weeds have been your nemesis all summer, now is the time to fight back!
5. Repair Bare Lawn Spots
If harsh summer conditions have left you with barren spots in your lawn, fall is the perfect time to repair these areas. The cooler temperatures will help new grass take root and by spring you’ll have a great looking lawn again.
6. Rake the Leaves
No one likes raking leaves, but it’s important to get them off the lawn as soon as possible. If they stay on the lawn and get wet from rain, they will stick together and suffocate the grass underneath.
