LAWN CARE:
Helpful tips to prepare your lawn for winter If you hope to have a lush, green lawn next year, it’s important to take care of your grass this fall. Here are some steps you can take to have that beautiful lawn next summer. RAKE UP THOSE LEAVES. A buildup of leaves on your lawn traps moisture and blocks light, all of which can cause the grass to die if they remain on your lawn through the winter. CONTINUE TO WATER. It’s important not to stop watering too soon in the fall. Even if the weather turns cooler, your lawn needs the water in order for the roots to survive the winter. Your lawn needs at least an inch of water a week until at least the end of October. CUT LAWN TO THE RIGHT HEIGHT. Did you know that your grass continues to grow until the first hard frost? You don’t want it to be too long when winter
sets in because it can be susceptible to snow mold and other fungus. You also don’t want to cut your grass too short or it might not be able to handle the winter cold. The best height for your grass is 2-1/2 to 3 inches. AERATION IS IMPORTANT. Every few years, you should aerate your lawn to loosen the soil that has become packed and covered with thatch. Aerating pokes down through the thatch and perforates the soil, allowing water, oxygen and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass. It’s smart to aerate before you fertilize your lawn to allow the fertilizer to reach the roots.
energy it needs to keep from freezing. A soil test can tell you what type of slow release fertilizer you need. OVERSEED YOUR LAWN. According to lawn care professionals, it’s a good idea to overseed your existing grass. This will help fill in thin and bare spots. Autumn is the perfect time to add seed to your lawn. The warm ground and plentiful moisture, along with cool nights and moderate
days make excellent conditions for grass to sprout. But it takes more than simpy spreading seed on top of your lawn to establish new grass. The seed needs to be touching the soil and kept moist in order to thrive. If you want to overseed the entire lawn, you’ll need a slit seeder or a professional who can use a power seeder to inject the seed directly into the soil.
FERTILIZE. Why should you fertilize in the fall? The nutrients in your fertilizer will help protect the roots of your grass, giving it the
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28 Fall Home Guide • 2021
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