6 Fall Lawn Care Secrets

In the fall, lawn care is tricky. Temperatures are beginning to descend. Days are becoming shorter. Soon the trees will be covered in fiery coats, and then they will shed their leaves onto the lush green grass you took so much time to care for over the hot summer months. As winter nears, your lawn will go dormant and may even become covered in a blanket of snow. These seasonal changes require an increased awareness. Improper fall lawn care could result in rotted roots, insect infestations, and other problems that delight pesky spring garden gnomes.

Here is our complete list of the six fall lawn care secrets the garden gnomes don’t want you to know – shh!

• Fertilization will boost spring growth. Many proud yard owners don’t realize that grass roots keep growing during the winter months, even if your yard is snow-covered. Fertilization in the fall provides additional nutrients that supply a boost to your lawn until the snow melts and spring arrives.

• Power seeding increases turf density, reducing insect and weed damage. Want thicker grass? Power seeding in your fall lawn care routine increases turf density. Not only does this mean your grass will come in less patchy next year, it also reduces the space for nasty weeds and detrimental insects to take hold. Be careful not to overseed, as this could harm your turf in the long run. Professional fall lawn care teams can measure the right amount for your lawn’s needs.

• Lawn aeration counters summer lawn traffic. All of those football games and grilling parties in the yard really condensed the grass. Aeration counters grass compaction and increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients reaching the roots.

• Raking/blowing leaves off the lawn once per week increases its health. Autumn leaves may dress up the trees and even decorate a yard in fallen color, but the leaves can actually prevent sunlight from reaching your grass and shrubs. No sunlight means that your lawn greens can’t build up the food it needs to remain healthy through the winter.

• Fall is the best time to discover pest problems and take preventative steps for spring. Grubs and other insects can destroy roots, not to mention eat certain shrubs outright. Analyzing your yard and treating it for pests is crucial to fall lawn care and gives your lawn a head start for the spring. And since certain chemicals may be applied to treat your yard, what better time than the chilly fall to have to keep your family off of it?

• Winterizing shrubs/trees prevents moisture loss and accidents. Maintaining your lawn also means maintaining the other components of your yard, as the system works together. Note that certain evergreens experience extreme loss of moisture in the fall and winter. To help prevent this dehydration and keep your yard healthy, you can apply a special oil to trunks. In addition, trim back limbs that overhang your house and walkways. When covered in snow or potentially frozen and brittle, they could break off and fall onto/around your house which could end in costly repairs.

Keeping your yard healthy and pest-free starts with fall lawn care. Power seeding, aerating, fertilizing, and other practices will ensure a healthier and more aesthetically-pleasing lawn in the spring. This is especially important if you are looking to sell your house, as both the interior and exterior will be extensively checked for problems. Not to mention it will need to look its best!

If you are concerned about pests or other problems that might come up in the exterior checklist of a house inspection, take the first step by hiring Inspect-it 1st. Their quality inspection services will help give you peace of mind about the state and safety of your home.