Fall is upon us! And it’s not just the leaves changing; it’s your yard too! Fall is a very important season to take care of your lawn, even with the growing season (summer) coming to a close. These five tasks are crucial to take care of now, as it will prepare you for the spring season.
Weed
Early fall is a great time to treat your lawn for weeds, as they go dormant or put out seeds. When temperatures are above 60°, you can use a traditional or organic herbicide. You could pull them out yourself, however using an herbicide guarantees that a weed is dead to the roots. Once you remove the dead weeds, you should seed those bare spots. Leaving empty spots will almost guarantee that weeds come back!
Aerate
Over time most lawn soil will become compacted from foot traffic and regular use. Aeration loosens up the soil and allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. If you have a large lawn, try renting an aerator from your local garden center. If smaller, try using a spading fork or aerating shoes. Click fore tips on aerating with forks!
Apply A Top-Dressing
Once you’ve done the two previous steps, think about applying amendments to your soil. If you plan to reseed, top-dressing with an organic compost provides a rich planting bed for your seed. If you have bumpy spots, depressions or soggy spots, consult with a turf expert!
Seed
The cooler weather gives your lawn a chance to grow strong roots without having to struggle with heat. Plus, fall weather usually brings more rain (less watering for you)! If your lawn is prone to weeds, is patchy and/or has bare spots, you may want to consider overseeding with a different type of grass seed than you’ve used in the past. This can be helpful as newer types of seed were developed with greater disease and pest resistance, and yards change over time as trees get larger.
Fertilize
If nothing else this fall, at least consider putting down a cool season lawn fertilizer. These lawn fertilizers typically contain a slow-release nitrogen that will be available so that your lawn will immediately green-up in the spring. They also usually contain a higher ratio of potassium, which helps grass recover from summer heat stress and foot traffic.
Need tips on sod and hydroseed this fall season? Give Bell Sod and Hydroseed a call at (916) 331-2040.We’re the seeding experts in California!