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As summer draws to a close, you may be preparing your heating system or breaking out pumpkin-related decorations. However, it’s also important to take care of your lawn supplies and yard before the cold weather arrives. Use the following tips to ensure your landscape is just as ready for the fall season as the rest of the home.

Do:

Fertilize and reseed.

Fertilizer is best applied in the fall because it gives grass enough nutrients to last through the dormant season and promote new growth come spring. If you have cool-season grass, fertilize the lawn twice—once at the beginning of fall and once in October or November.

If you notice bald or thinning spots throughout your yard, reseed two to four weeks before the first frost is expected. This will give the seeds plenty of time to take root before the cold season hits.

Aerate the lawn.

In addition to sunlight and soil, grass needs oxygen to survive. However, months of foot traffic may have compressed the dirt, preventing adequate airflow. An aeration tool will poke holes throughout the lawn, relieving pressure and improving oxygen intake.

Don't: 

Ignore leaves in the yard.

lawn suppliesAs trees start to shed their leaves, your lawn may become covered. Too many leaves blanketing the yard can partially block airflow and exposure to beneficial sunlight. Leaves trapped by snowfall will become moist, which can promote bacteria growth on your lawn.

As the leaves change and fall, rake them up every few weeks. This will help avoid diseases and pests, preserving your yard’s green hue.

Leave water in the sprinkler system.

Drain and disconnect the sprinkler system and hoses before temperatures begin to drop. Residual moisture left inside the sprinkler heads can freeze if the temperature is cold enough. Since ice expands, this could cause sprinkler parts to burst, leading to costly repairs.

 

As you prepare for these fall maintenance tasks, turn to Engel's Hardware & Lumber in Cincinnati, OH, for lawn supplies. This shop offers everything from fertilizer and seed mix to rakes and lumber. They’ve been helping area residents find the gardening and landscaping tools they need for over 15 years. Visit them online to learn more about their inventory of lawn supplies, or call (513) 353-1711 to speak to a helpful staff member.

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