You might be thinking lawncare is for the spring and summer months — and you’d be correct. But yard maintenance during autumn is often overlooked. People assume that as the temperature dips the yard will enter a dormant stage and preserve until next spring. However, how you tend to your lawn during the months of September, October and November will often determine how much work it will need when the warmth returns once again. 

Therefore, as an act to safeguard the health of your lawn, and fight against possible large lawn care costs in the spring, here are five tips you can take as a homeowner over the next several months.  

 

Keep Cutting The Grass 

Just because it gets cooler doesn’t mean the grass stops growing. During the fall months, start to cut your grass one to two inches shorter than normal. This helps protect your lawn from matting under the weight of leaves. This also offers you the option to easily mulch leaves as they fall — helping protect the health of your lawn. Before winter, it is recommended to cut your grass the shortest length of the year, in anticipation of the grass becoming dormant. 

Rake Leaves Often 

Autumn is beloved in part due to the colorful changing leaves. However, as these leaves collect on your lawn, they block sunlight from reaching the grass and hold unhealthy amounts of moisture. This buildup can result in issues like lawn fungi or pests. It is best to rake or mulch the leaves frequently as they collect in your yard. 

Choose to Aerate 

Aeration is a straightforward and simple process that impacts the ground with small holes in the topsoil. This process allows air, water, and nutrients to easily penetrate into the soil, helping grassroots to regenerate. Aeration is also beneficial to help remove excess thatch (a layer of dead grass roots between grass blades and the soil) and provide a healthy growing environment for new grass seed to take hold. Early or late fall is the perfect time to aerate your lawn, depending upon your lawn’s grass type.

 For warmer season grasses aerate in the late summer/early fall:  

  • Bermuda grass
  • St. Augustine
  • Zoysia 

For cooler season grasses aerate in mid to late fall: 

  • Kentucky Bluegrass
  • Perennial Ryegrass
  • Bent Grass
  • Tall Fescue

Fertilize Your Lawn 

Fertilizing in the fall is also a popular and recommended step to protecting your lawn’s health. By fertilizing during this time of year, you supply the lawn with plenty of rich nutrients to help support it through the winter months. With enough time to be absorbed, grassroots can deepen and strengthen before going dormant. This helps promote a rich, healthy lawn come spring time. 

Water When Necessary 

Summer heat calls for regular lawn watering, but what about the fall? Moisture holds better in the cooler months, but if you live in a warmer climate or are experiencing limited rainfall, then watering your lawn occasionally would be a good choice. Your yard should receive one inch of water per week during this time of the year.

Need Fall Lawncare?

Is your lawn due for some service this fall? Don’t hesitate to contact us to help provide you with the lawn care services you need! Invest in the health of your lawn now, and have a beautiful yard in the spring.