Prepare your lawn for success
As summer comes to an end its important to consider the following lawn care tasks. Summer tends to take its toll on our lawn with drought and high traffic. Paying attention to and Performing some or all of the below tasks will help ensure a healthy vibrant lawn through Winter and into Spring.
Thatch
Thatch is the layer of dead and live organic material between the soil and the green shoots of grass.
Easily check your lawn by pulling a plug or shovel of dirt up from your lawn. Measure the area at the base of the grass above the soil. Once it’s much thicker than ½ inch it’s time to start thatching your lawn.
There are a number of technique which can help, Aeration or a good old raking with a wire rake. Make sure to remove the debris from your lawn.
Our favorite technique is to hire a Lawn Care Professional :)
Moss
The Fall is a great time to take control of ay moss that might be growing in your yard. It’s important to kill the moss before trying to remove it. Otherwise you are likely to spread the problem through your yard.
There are a number of products which you can apply to the moss to kill it. Once dead you should be able to remove it from the yard with a rake.
Aerate
Aeration is an important part of a healthy lawn. We recommend aerating once a year and at a minimum once every couple of years. Aeration can be done at a basic level with a pitchfork and your boot. Simply make many holes through your lawn.
However, to properly aerate your law you’ll want to use a specific machine made to pull plugs out of your soil. Depending on the density and needs of your lawn these plugs can adjusted. This allows for the soil to decompress and the thatch to remain healthy.
Over Seed
The fall will be ideal weather and after the work you’ve done in clearing your lawn of moss aerating and thatching. The yard will be prime for light application of seed, and a fuller application in any bare dead spots.
Its recommended to mix seed and soil really well and spread them together across the lawn together. There are also specific products at the store pre-mixed you can use.
Lay Sod
If your need to lay sod in your lawn for any large dead or bald spots, Fall will be a great time. This will allow for the sods roots to take hold and in the new soil, preparing for the winter ahead.
When laying sod we recommend clearing the ground of debris, moisten the soil and rake it to loosen it up. Before placing the piece of sod down lightly rub your glove across the dirt side, loosening that side a little as well.
Fertilize
Our lawn and the soil have been through a lot since spring and will likely need help replenishing their nutrient base. Fall is arguably the most important time to apply fertilizer which will help ensure a healthy lawn while its dormant for winter.
Many fertilizers have a weed killer mixed into the formula. Read the instructions carefully. If not it would be an ideal time to kill those broad leaf weeds such as dandelions.
Water
Watering your lawn will continue to be important until mother nature takes over. We recommend at a minimum once every day for a long period or once every day for a slightly shorter period.
If you over seeded as mentioned above or laid new sod sown, water much more. Those new seeds and the new sod will need to stay moist until the roots really take hold. It will take the seeds longer, but the sod will need extra attention as well likely through throughout the season.
Thanks for checking out our recommendations and tips. Please visit our home page and call us with any questions.
-BLE
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