The bright colors of summer are fading and a new season with its own bright colors is upon us․ For the homeowner‚ fall also brings an opportunity to enjoy the cool weather and beauty of the fall colors‚ and is a critical time for minimizing lawn problems․ The cold weather is the best time of year to get your garden in top shape and give your lawn the best environment to grow in․ If you've followed the preparation work required to be done in this season‚ your lawn will be in optimal condition for family activities well into the winter․
Soil
One of the most important steps in fall lawn care is to prepare your soil for the newly-seeded grass․ Prepping your soil is a step that can enliven and nourish the ground․ You should prepare the site by removing any old clippings‚ weeds that you cannot pull out‚ and all large stones before you aerate the site to prepare the soil․ Aeration helps to allow air‚ water and nutrients to penetrate the soil more deeply‚ helping roots grow and grass grow better and stronger․ The next step is to condition the soil․ Mixing compost with topsoil at a 1 to 1 ratio improves soil structure‚ increases moisture retention‚ and provides better nutrition for grass seedlings․
Some call it a seasonal nuisance‚ but it is more than something to avoid in the landscape‚ as the presence of leaf litter may indicate a season․ Overnight‚ when leaves blanket the ground they may not seem to be a concern‚ but removal may be important for the health of lawns․ Wet leaves can block air and sunlight from getting to the grass‚ and can promote mold and other fungi․ Raking leaves will help keep the grass healthy․ Another method is to use a mulching mower to chop them into fine pieces and let them decompose to add nutrients back into the soil of your yard․
Choosing the Right Grass
Choosing the right grass for fall depends on climate and soil conditions․ Kentucky bluegrass or fescue and other cool season grasses are usually the best because the growing conditions in fall are ideal for grasses that thrive in cool temperatures․ After you have selected your type of turf‚ consider how you will be using it․ Robust grasses are normally recommended for areas with heavy foot traffic․ Ornamental grasses can also be more appropriate for more formal gardens and landscaped areas‚ however‚ the grass type characteristics should be considered to determine whether they would be suitable for your lawn․
Another benefit of fertilizing your lawn in the fall is that it keeps your lawn healthy and strong for a longer period of time․ With the cooler weather and grass beginning to grow more‚ fall fertilizing provides your lawn with the nutrients it needs․ Using a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer will continue to feed the grass throughout the course of the winter․ It will begin working immediately‚ but it needs time to penetrate the ground before the ground freezes again so that the fertilizer can be used by the grass roots․ Your lawn will return to life when the weather is warm and sunny in the spring‚ having built up a better tolerance to freezing temperatures․
Watering
Autumn watering can be more complex: Autumn is cooler than summer‚ with rain more likely‚ and needs can be more carefully balanced․ However‚ the need for deep watering remains; frequent‚ low amounts can actually be more damaging than none at all as they encourage a shallow root system․ An inch of water per week is typically sufficient‚ allowing the water to penetrate through the topsoil to the roots thereby forcing the grass to establish deeper roots․ Early morning watering is preferred so the grass can dry out by nightfall to prevent mold growth and disease․ Watering around fall should be adjusted to the temperature and rainfall of the season to keep the lawn properly hydrated during this time․
In conclusion‚ using good lawn care in the fall can set your lawn up for success next season․ With soil preparation‚ leaf cleaning‚ choosing the right grass for your lawn‚ applying the right fertilizer‚ and watering‚ your lawn will be ready for the upcoming growing season․ Even though this is a lovely time of year to be outside working on your yard‚ through diligence and attention to detail‚ you'll not only have a lawn that will survive the winter‚ but a lawn that's going to look great when spring rolls back around․ In this way‚ the steps you'll take to achieve this goal will make not only your property look more beautiful but also make you feel better about the world around you․
