Fall Lawn Care Tips

Print
Email
Digg
  Del.icio.us
Reddit
Stumbleupon

Fall is an important time for lawn care. A healthy, green lawn can make a big difference to the way your backyard or garden look during winter when the flowers and foliage of spring and summer are not there to brighten up the area. Fall is your last chance to get your lawn looking good for the winter months, before the cold weather stops its growth and ability to repair itself.

Lawn care tips to achieve a green lawn and avoid bare patches in winter

• As the temperatures fall and the days grow shorter, it is important to raise the height of your mower. You don't want to cut the lawn too short now because it will grow much more slowly and need as much length as possible to take in nutrients. About two inches is ideal to allow it to make and store food.
• Keep your blades sharp so they cut cleanly--blunt blades can rip the grass up and the lawn won't have time to repair itself.
• Apply lawn treatments to provide the essential nutrients that help protect your lawn during the winter.
• Aerate the lawn with a hand fork or spiking machine to improve drainage and allow more air into the lawn root system.
• Clear away all debris and don't allow fallen leaves to remain on the lawn.
• Use a rake to 'scarify' the lawn--the rake removes the dead grass matter, roots, and moss.
• Water the lawn until temperatures drop low enough for the water to freeze.
• Fall is the best time to seed the lawn or lay new sod. Make sure the seeding or sodding is completed before the cold weather sets in.

A little extra lawn care in fall is the best way to achieve a green lawn in winter and a healthy, strong lawn in spring.

About the Author

Karin has worked as a writer and researcher for the past 10 years, writing on a variety of subjects. She has a research-based PhD in English studies and is engaged in an ongoing battle to tame her backyard.