Congratulations, you've managed to keep your lawn alive through the stifling summer heat. Now with winter on the horizon— you may be tempted to relax on your routine. After all, the yard will be covered in snow. But the truth is around here fall is the key season for lawn care. What you do at this time of year largely determines that state of your grass in the spring.
Cutting Lawn Short
The last couple of times you cut the lawn this year, do so with the mower on it lowest blade height setting. Cutting so closely allows more sunlight to reach the crown of the grass blades Just be careful not to trim off any more than a third in a single mowing.
Pick Up the Leaves
As trees begin to drop their leaves, rake, and rake often, heavy leaves on the lawn over the winter will lead to dead areas in the spring which will require reseeding. Seeding in the spring will not allow the use of crabgrass or weed controls which will lead to problems areas in summer.
Core Aeration
Helps combat soil compaction, aeration is the recommended method of ensuring that air, moisture, and nutrients are able to reach grass roots.
Late Fall / Early Winter Fertilizer
Now is the best and most important time to fertilize your lawn. The morning dew delivers moisture to help turf absorb the fertilizer. The grass has a chance to build stamina before a chilly winter. Supporting root growth now leads to a healthier greener lawn in the spring.
As the weeds prepare for the winter, they will pull nutrients from the soil into their roots.
