Autumn is here, but your yard might still be on summer break. Get your lawn fall ready with these four tips from our lawn maintenance experts.
Tip #1: Now’s the time to fertilize
If you only have the time and energy to fertilize your lawn once a year, but still want a beautiful looking yard, then the fall is the best season to get it done. Fertilizing in the fall provides the essential nutrients that the grass needs as the roots multiply and overall growth slows down in the cooler months. The roots will also store these nutrients and provide an initial growth spurt when spring weather comes around again. When choosing a fertilizer, talk to a quality landscaping specialist about your specific grass type and soil conditions.
Bonus tip: To save money on fertilizer, invest in a mulching mower. This mower will shred your fall leaves into tiny pieces that eventually decompose as natural fertilizer.
Tip #2: Extend mower blades for shorter grass
When the weather begins to get colder, many people will prematurely put the lawn mower away. However, grass continues to grow up until some of the coldest days in the winter season, so regular cutting is still needed. Letting grass grow too long in the colder months when evaporation is slower, can leave your yard susceptible to mold and other diseases.
Cutting grass too short can also be problematic for the health of your yard. Cutting too short affects root depth, which can prevent your grass from being able to withstand the harsh conditions of the winter months. The ideal height for cutting grass this fall is approximately two-and-a-half to three inches.
Tip #3: Aerate the soil
One of the most important things to do in the fall to maintain a healthy lawn is to aerate the soil. After all the foot traffic that occurs in the summer months, aerating can relieve compaction and better allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the soil.
You can rent a lawn aerator at your neighborhood garden equipment store or hire our professional lawn care service providers to do it for you.
Tip #4 Keep watering regularly
Along with lawn mowing, a common myth is that watering isn’t as important as in the summer months because there is less evaporation. The truth is however, watering regularly in the fall is crucial. Watering in the fall not only helps your lawn recover for the stress put on by scorching summer weather but also helps to strengthen the roots for the upcoming winter season. Continuous watering also helps your fertilizer penetrate better into the soil.
Your lawn should receive at least one inch of water every week. An easy way to keep track of when you need to water is to invest in a simple rain gauge.
If all these tips seem like too much to manage in the busy season ahead, why not let us do the work for you? At RLC Landscaping, we have all the top equipment and expertise to keep your lawn beautiful and healthy throughout any season. Whether we’re installing an efficient irrigation system or completing seasonal aeration, we take care of your lawn as if it were our own so you can focus on what matters most.
If you’re looking for a yard maintenance partner you can trust, give us a call today at 407-366-5629 or click here to request a quote.
