Though spring and summer are often seen as the primary seasons for lawn care, fall is a great time to ready a lawn for winter weather.
The following tips can help a lawn withstand winter weather and might even make spring lawn care that much easier once the warm weather returns.
Fertilize: Fertilizing in the fall actually helps the lawn come the early spring.
Nutrients remain in the soil throughout the winter months, and the lawn will utilize those nutrients once the snow melts and the sun and warmer weather return.
Aerate: Lawns typically become compacted by late summer, making it difficult for the grass to thrive.
When fall arrives, aerating the lawn can relieve that compaction by removing plugs or cores of soil from the lawn.
Once a lawn is aerated, the grass roots can spread out and thicken the lawn. It's good to aerate in the fall when grass roots grow.
Edge the property: Homeowners who live in areas that experience heavy snowfall in the winter might want to edge their lawns in the fall.
Edging can eliminate the risk of damaging grass that hangs over curbs and sidewalks when shoveling snow. What's more, an edged lawn adds aesthetic appeal to the property.
Seed: Fall can be a great time to seed a lawn as well.
Overseeding a warm season lawn in the fall can help a lawn resist diseases throughout the winter.
Rake the leaves promptly: Don't allow leaves to accumulate on the grass before finally dusting off the rake. If you allow leaves to sit on the lawn too long, they can smother the grass. Don't allow leaves to reach ankle length.
