Fall Lawn Care

Watering

Fall lawn care includes ensuring that lawns receive enough fall water to carry them through the long winter. Overall, you won't need to water nearly as much as in summer, but during hot, dry spells in autumn, remember to provide sufficient water.

Mowing

Adjusting lawn mower height for fall mowing is not an issue with cool season grasses – that is, the varieties we grow in our area. Just set the height as you normally would (2-2.5”) right up until the time growth stops and you stop mowing.

Fertilizing

The key to a quick greening of your lawn in spring is the amount of sugars that are present in the crowns; the crown is the section on plants where the roots and leaf blades meet. The key nutrient that will provide a supply of sugar is nitrogen - the first number in the list of three numbers you see on fertilizer bags.

Timing is key! Nitrogen must be applied late enough that the lawn has slowed growth, however not late enough that the nitrogen will go unused. The best time for fall application of fertilizers is September to mid October.

Aeration

Aerating the lawn in fall will help loosen compacted soil to stimulate root growth, enhance water uptake, control thatch and increase the lawn’s ability to uptake vital nutrients.