Fall officially starts on September 22, ushering in the season of less sun, long shadows, and shorter days. Fall is the time when your lawn needs you most. Now is the time to mend the wear and tear your yard has undergone during summer’s scorching weather and continuous foot traffic.
Your grass needs TLC in the form of aeration, seeding, and fertilization to repair the damage. These lawn care maintenance activities, done before the first frost, set your lawn up for year-round success.
Aerate
The first step in repairing a stressed lawn is aeration. Aeration helps loosen compacted soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. Aerating should be done before seeding to ensure the seed makes direct contact with the soil. In addition, the holes created during aeration create ripe conditions for overseeding and fertilizing.
Lawn Seeding (or overseeding)
The bare spots in your yard due to summer elements and activity can be easily repaired by seeding. Filling in the gaps and thinning areas also helps to crowd out infringing weeds. New grass takes off in autumn’s cooler temperatures and warm soil, allowing the lawn seed to germinate and sprout roots faster.
Overseeding is the process of planting new grass seeds over an existing lawn to thicken your yard and make it more lush next spring.
Fertilize
Fall is the most crucial time to fertilize and critical to maintaining a healthy lawn. Fertilizing in the fall prepares your property for good health during the coldest months of the year, ensuring a plush green yard in the spring. A nutrient boost of fertilizer should be done twice in the fall, with the second fall feeding occurring 6-8 weeks after your first application.
Fertilizing in the fall
- helps rejuvenate and repair your lawn from summer’s heat and wear and tear;
- gives roots a pre-winter nutrient boost giving them a strong base on which to thrive;
- makes for a solid start for spring with a greener lawn, giving it stamina, strength, and support through the winter months.
Investing time now helps ensure a luscious, green lawn in the spring. Implementing these three basics of lawn care techniques gives you a head start in the spring. If you’re unsure about your lawn maintenance needs, or don’t have the time to attend to your fall preparation, contact Artistic Tree and Landscaping Creations at 412-303-4443.
