Fall lawn care starts once the leaves have fallen and the weather gets colder. Most people think they can put their lawnmowers away until spring. However, that’s not the case! Mowing one last time in the fall can actually be beneficial for your lawn. Here are 7 fall lawn care must for your Yard:
Lawn Care Tips for Fall
Mow One Last Time
Leaves Can Be Good for Your Lawn—Up to a Point. Leaves are full of essential nutrients that are great for your lawn, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients help to promote healthy growth and make your lawn more resistant to disease. However, if you let too many fallen leaves build up on your lawn, they can smother the grass and prevent it from getting the sunlight and air it needs to thrive. Mowing one last time in the fall will help to prevent this from happening.
Lawn Mowing Helps to Control Thatch Buildup
The thatch layer is dead organic material (such as leaves, stems, and roots) that builds up on your lawn over time. A mulching mower will leave a small amount of thatch and is actually good for your warm-season lawn—it helps to protect the roots from extreme temperatures and prevents moisture loss in the growing season. However, too much excess thatch can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass, which can lead to brown patches and bare spots. Mowing in the fall will help to control thatch buildup so that it doesn’t become a problem come springtime.
Mowing Helps Grass Seeds Germinate Quicker in the Spring
If you’ve ever seeded your warm-season lawn, you know that getting the grass seeds to germinate can be a bit of a waiting game. However, mowing your lawn one last time in the fall can actually help speed up the process come springtime. That’s because mowing helps to break up any compacted soil, allowing air and water to reach the seeds so they can germinate quicker.
Allows the Grass Roots to Breathe
When you mow your lawn too short, you’re actually putting stress on the grass. This can cause most lawns to produce shallow roots, which are more susceptible to drought and heat stress. By mowing your lawn slightly shorter, to a height of 2″-2.5″, not one inch, you’ll encourage the grass blades to produce deeper roots, which will be better able to withstand periods of drought and extreme heat. Not to mention, deep-rooted grass is simply more resilient and less likely to be damaged by foot traffic.
Reduces the Risk of Winter Damage
Another benefit of early fall lawn mowing is that it reduces the risk of winter damage. If you allow your grass to grow too long before the first frost, the weight of the snow and ice can cause it to flatten out or even kill it entirely. But if you’ve recently mowed your lawn at a taller height, the blades will be strong enough to withstand the weight of the snow and ice without being damaged.
Rake the Lawn
Rake the Lawn in the Fall for a Beautiful Yard All Year Round. A neat and tidy yard is not only pleasing to look at but also healthier for your grass. Raking up leaves in the fall is one of the best ways to achieve this goal. Not only does it help prevent diseases and pests, but it also keeps your grass green by allowing sunlight to reach the blades. So get out there and rake up those leaves! Your lawn will thank you for it.
- Raking Leaves Prevents Mold and Mildew: If leaves are left on your lawn over the winter, they’ll start to decompose and release moisture. This can lead to mold and mildew growth in cold weather, which can damage your grass blades. Raking leaves will help prevent this problem.
- It Allows More Sunlight and Air to Reach the Grass: Leaves that are left on the lawn block out sunlight and air circulation. Your grass needs both of these things to gain strength. Raking up the leaves will allow sunlight and air to reach the grass, keeping it healthy all winter long and help your lawn recover next year.
- It Reduces Pests and Diseases: Pests and diseases love moist environments. If you leave leaves on your lawn, you’re creating a perfect environment for them to thrive. Raking up the leaves will help reduce pests and diseases.
Protect Plants from Temperature Fluctuations
If you live in Augusta, Georgia, you know that the weather can change drastically from one day to the next. One day it could be sunny and warm, and the next, it could be cold and rainy. This kind of unpredictable weather can wreak havoc on your plants, causing them to wilt or even die. But there are some things you can do to protect your landscape from temperature fluctuations.
- Use Plant Coverings: One of the best ways to protect your plants from temperature fluctuations is to use plant coverings. These can be anything from sheets or blankets to straw or burlap. Simply drape the covering over your plants before nightfall and remove it in the morning. This will help insulate and keep them warm during cold nights. Just make sure that the covering is not touching the leaves of the plant, as this could cause the leaves to rot.
- Move Plants Indoors: If you have plants that are particularly sensitive to temperature changes, you may want to consider moving them indoors. This is especially important if there is a chance of frost or freezing temperatures. Most houseplants will do just fine indoors as long as they’re placed in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. If you’re not sure whether a particular plant will do well indoors, just ask your local nursery or garden center for advice.
- Mulch Your Plants: Mulching is another great way to protect your plants from temperature fluctuations. Mulch helps insulate the roots and keep them cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It’s also helpful in preventing moisture loss, which is important during periods of drought. You can buy mulch at most garden centers or nurseries, or you can make your own by composting leaves and other organic matter.
Aerate the Lawn
Most people think of lawn care as a spring and summertime activity. However, fall is one of the best times to aerate your lawn. Core aerators make small holes in the soil to allow for air circulation and drainage. Here are a few reasons why you should aerate your lawn in the fall.
- Promotes Air Circulation: One of the main benefits of core aeration is that it promotes air circulation. This is important because it helps to oxygenate the roots of your grass, which is essential for healthy growth.
- Improves Drainage: Aerating your lawn also improves drainage. This is especially beneficial if you live in an area with clay soil, as core aerators can help to break up the clay and improve drainage.
- Reduces Soil Compaction: Another benefit of aerating your lawn is that it reduces soil compaction. Compacted soil can cause a number of problems, such as preventing grass roots from getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow. By aerating your lawn, you can help to reduce compaction and improve the health of your grass.
- Prepares Lawn for Winter: Aerating your lawn in the fall or late summer can help to prepare it for winter. Aeration helps to loosen the soil, which allows snow and rain to penetrate more easily. This can help to reduce the risk of frost damage and keep your lawn healthy throughout the winter months.
Cut back (some) Perennials.
As the leaves start to change color and fall starts to creep in, you may be wondering what you should do with your perennials. While it may be tempting to let them stay and turn into a beautiful fall display, there are actually some benefits to cutting them back.
- Cutting back perennials in the fall can actually help them grow stronger and healthier in the spring.
- It also helps to tidy up your garden and get rid of any dead or dying foliage.
- If you cut back your perennials in the fall, you’ll also have less work to do in the spring when it comes time to clean up your garden beds.
- Finally, cutting back perennials in the fall can encourage new growth, which means more flowers come springtime!
Apply Pre-emergent Early Fall
Many people think that pre-emergent herbicides are only necessary in the spring, but fall is actually the ideal time to apply them. Pre-emergent herbicides work by creating a barrier on the surface of the soil that prevents weed seeds from germinating. By applying pre-emergent in autumn, you can prevent weeds from taking root and growing next spring. Here are some other benefits of applying pre-emergent in the fall:
- Weed Control: One of the main benefits of applying pre-emergent in the fall is that it prevents weeds from germinating and taking root in your lawn or garden. By creating a barrier on the surface of the soil, pre-emergent stops weed seeds from sprouting. This means that you won’t have to deal with pesky weeds next spring.
Warm Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses are a type of grass that thrives in warm climates. They are typically more drought-resistant than cool-season grasses, and they go dormant in the winter. In the fall warm season, grasses such as Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, and Zoysia grass begin to prepare for winter by turning brown and going dormant. While this may not be the prettiest time of year for your dormant lawn, it is perfectly natural and ensures that your existing turf will be healthy and green come springtime.
Cool Season Grasses
As the weather begins to cool in the fall, warm-season lawns start to go dormant, leaving your lawn looking brown. Cool-season grasses, on the other hand, remain green and active throughout the cooler months. If you want your lawn to look its best year-round, you should consider planting cool-season grasses like perennial ryegrass.
There are a variety of cool-season grasses to choose from; for example, if you live in an area with heavy foot traffic, you might want to choose a perennial ryegrass that is tough and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Or if you have a lot of shade in your yard, you might want to choose a cool-season grass that doesn’t require as much sun. Whichever type of cool-season grass you choose, you can be sure to
Clean and Store Tools
Whether you’re a gardener, handyman, or just like to do some DIY around the house, making sure your tools are clean and stored properly will help them last longer and stay in good condition. Here are a few tips on how to get your tools ready for fall.
- Cleaning Your Tools: After a summer of use, it’s important to clean your tools before putting them away for the winter months. This will help prevent rust and corrosion from setting in. For metal tools, start by scrubbing them with soap and water to remove any dirt or grime.
Once they’re clean, dry them off and apply a light coat of oil to help protect them from the elements. If you have any wooden handled tools, make sure to wipe down the handles with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris. You may also want to wax the handles to help protect them from moisture.
- Storing Your Tools: Once your tools are clean, it’s time to think about where you’re going to store them. If you have a garage or shed, this is a great place to keep them since it will offer some protection from the elements. If you don’t have an outdoor space, or if you want to keep your tools closer to the house, try storing them in a basement or utility room.
Just make sure they’re stored in a dry place where they won’t be exposed to extreme temperature changes. Whichever location you choose, invest in some storage bins or shelves to help keep everything organized. Label each bin so you know exactly what’s inside, and consider using clear bins so you can easily see what you need without having to dig through everything.
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