Your lawn may be dormant during winter, but that doesn’t mean you should forgo fall maintenance. The right care prepares your lawn for spring growth so you enjoy green, lush grass throughout the warm weather seasons. Here, review essential fall lawn maintenance tasks to keep grass and roots healthy.

What Fall Lawn Maintenance Tasks Do I Need to Know About?

When to Rake, Mow, & Aerate

Stay ahead of leaf accumulation on the lawn this fall. Colorful autumn leaves create a barrier between the grass and sunlight, while also trapping moisture to promote fungal growth. Rake leaves or use a blower as needed to avoid these issues.

Remove fallen branches before mowing the lawn to prevent blade damage. Put the blade on its lowest setting for the last two cuttings so more light reaches the grass crowns. This will prevent excessive browning.

Aerate the lawn when grass is still growing but weed growth is minimal and the temperature has dropped. Aeration removes plugs from compacted soil so more nutrients reach the roots. Also, consider overseeding if your lawn features bare patches. Seeding fills in these patches while thickening existing grass.

When to Fertilize & Stop Watering 

Schedule fertilization from a local lawn maintenance company in mid to late fall. Plant sugars fortify grass and roots against frigid temperatures and provide extra energy for spring resurgence.

Lawn care professionals will test your soil to determine the precise nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio for your grass type, and apply it with special spraying tools that prevent nitrogen burns from over-fertilization. They may also suggest a pre-emergent weed killer depending on your lawn’s current health.

Use a rain gauge to ensure your lawn receives at least one inch of water through October. Hydrated roots are healthy, which makes them better able to withstand winter temperatures. Water the lawn in the morning so the grass and roots have all day to dry out and avoid fungal growth. Stop watering the lawn once the ground freezes because it wastes water. Instead, flush your sprinkler system and remove the hose to prepare it for winter. 

Schedule fertilization and other fall lawn maintenance services with Buzz Landscaping Inc. The fully licensed, insured, and bonded landscaping company has kept residential and commercial lawns throughout Conway, AR, and the surrounding areas lush for over 25 years. Call (501) 730-4515 today to make an appointment or learn more about customized services online. Get additional landscaping tips on Facebook.