Fall Lawn Maintenance Checklist
You might think that your lawn doesn’t require maintenance during fall since the grass will become dormant during the winter. However, fall is the best time to prepare your lawn if you want it to grow back green and lush when spring arrives. The fall lawn maintenance checklist below will help you to enjoy a beautiful lawn in the new year.
Don’t Stop Mowing
Your lawn will keep on growing until it starts to frost, so continue mowing it until then. Keep it around 2.5 to 3 inches in height. If you let it grow too tall, it will start matting and developing fungus. If it’s cut too short, you’ll expose the roots to the elements which will result in dead patches of grass.
Fall Lawn Maintenance includes Raking Regularly to Get Rid of the Leaves
A blanket of leaves on the grass will block most of the sunlight. It will also trap moisture and cause grass fungal growth. Regular raking will prevent this and also help to get rid of any thatch that might have built up. Make raking part of your fall lawn maintenance schedule once or twice a week and you will be rewarded with a lush, green lawn when spring arrives.
Continue Watering Your Lawn for Fall Lawn Maintenance
Fall tends to be a wetter season, but you should still be making sure your lawn is getting enough water. Your lawn needs at least an inch of water every week. Set up a rain gauge where you can track the amount of rainfall. If you have a dry week, supplement by watering your lawn until it’s time to disconnect hoses for the winter.
Fall is a Great Time for Seeding
Fall is a great time to add seed, whether you are patching your lawn’s bare spots or overseeding. Seed actually sprouts more quickly between late September and October than during the spring months. This is because the soil is warmer after summer than during spring.
Aerate Your Lawn During Fall
Your lawn has likely suffered heat stress and soil compaction during summer. Aerating in the fall will help to resolve these issues. It will also prevent the soil from becoming thatched, i.e. developing a thick layer of stems, roots, and debris that prevents not only nutrients but also oxygen and water from reaching the ground.
Fertilize Your Lawn in Fall
If you want a lush, healthy lawn in spring and summer, your fall lawn maintenance schedule should include adding a fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen. This will provide the grass with lots of nutrients to survive the winter months and the necessary energy to bounce back when spring arrives.
Don’t Neglect Pest and Weed Control During the Fall
Insects that breed in your lawn during this time of the year can become a big problem once spring arrives. That’s why you should address any signs of a lawn pest problem early in the fall. If you notice weeds invading your lawn, get rid of them, roots and all.
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