The Fall Five
Don’t let your grass fall behind! As the seasons change you might find yourself indoors more, but that doesn’t mean that you should neglect your outdoor space. The upcoming months are actually crucial for landscapes – plan accordingly and you’ll thank yourself come spring. Fertilizing, seeding, and aerating in conjunction with monitoring weeds and focusing on soil pH will cover it all.
pH – pH is determined through soil testing. The pH will determine if the addition of lime or sulfur is needed. Adding lime or sulfur to your lawn is as essential as mowing it. Without a proper pH, lawn grasses may be unable to benefit from the nutrients applied to your soil. Fall is the best time to add lime or sulfur to lawns. Fall has its advantages, as rain, snow and cycles of freezing and thawing help break down these additives, allowing them to work. By adding the proper material, based on a soil test, you help ensure your grass gets the nutrients and advantages it needs for lush, healthy, beautiful growth.
Fall Fertility – Taking the time to fertilize in the fall will strengthen your plants’ and lawn’s roots, giving them a strong base on which to thrive next spring. For cool season grasses, September, October, and November are the best months to fertilize your lawn. Grass is recovering from a long hot summer and may be coming out of a drought-induced dormancy. Roots also start to regenerate to store nutrients and carbohydrates for thick, healthy, green lawns in the spring.
Core Aeration – This process should be performed every fall for cool season grasses and mid summer for warm season grasses. This process pulls 2 to 3 inch long cores from the ground, where they stay until they disintegrate in a couple of weeks, feeding the soil as they do. Core aeration helps to keep thatch, or dead root matter, under control and loosen compacted soil. This allows air, water and nutrients to circulate through your lawn by creating small holes in the soil. When air, water and nutrients move down into the soil, the roots follow. In turn, healthy roots encourage healthy plants.
Overseeding/Slice Seed (for cool season grasses ONLY) – Fall is the best time to overseed a lawn or repair thin or bare areas. Cooler nights and milder, shorter days provide the ideal conditions for seed germination. Grass seed is better able to retain moisture during the fall, and seedlings will thrive without the extreme heat that occurs in the summer months. SavATree can combine core aeration with an overseeding. We may use two or more blends on your property, based on your environmental conditions and maintenance practices.
Weed Control – Like grass plants, weeds also pull energy and carbohydrates into their roots over winter. When an herbicide is applied, it moves seamlessly into the plant, resulting in better weed control. Fall is an excellent time to get a jump on weeds and provide a thicker, healthier, weed free lawn next spring.
Call in the experts today for a comprehensive & complimentary lawn consultation.
