Simple Diy Lawn Care Tips For September
Summer is almost over. Fall will be here before you know it and that means it’s time to give out some pre-winter lawn care advice.
What many homeowners fail to understand is that the fall time is actually the very best time to work on the overall thickness and general health of the lawn. Summers in the Midwest in general can be very hard on your Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Rye, causing browning from drought stress. But this is not a reason to give up.
Take Advantage of the Cooler Temps
Cooler fall temperatures stimulate your lawn to begin producing a thicker root structure. This means the top of the lawn (the part you see) will also begin getting thicker. A thicker lawn will resist all other problems.
Use the Right Fertilizer
Your turf definitely needs to be fertilized during this root growth period. Use a fertilizer with a rating of 20-20-10 or 20-10-10. Some stores refer to this as “starter fertilizer” but it works great for existing lawns as well. The key here is the potassium and phosphorus that will strengthen the root system of the turf.
If you have dog urine burn spots in your lawn that have died out during the summer, this proper fertilizer rate will help those areas recover. In addition, be sure to saturate the dog urine spots with water often.
Aeration is a Must
Aerating your lawn will help to loosen hard, compacted soil and aid in the spreading of the root system. (can you tell that we are all about the grass roots here?)
Aeration will also direct air, water and nutrients to the root system as well as reduce thatch buildup in the lawn. Thatch is the layer of organic matter that resides just above the soil line. Some thatch is necessary to retain moisture and prevent erosion, but too much can restrict the lawn’s growth and create shallow rooting. Aeration effectively punches holes in the thatch to keep in within manageable ranges.
Grass Seed For Fall
After you aerate, you should spread out some fresh ecolawn grass seed. We want a general over-seeding that will add fresh Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Rye to the lawn. If you have bare spots in your lawn, you can put more grass seed there and cover it with top soil or peat moss. Keep it wet for best germination.
Cut The Lawn Tall
You should NEVER scalp your lawn, but in the fall you definitely want to cut as tall as your mower will go. You also should mulch the clippings to return nutrients to the soil. The only time you should cut the lawn a little lower is the very last cut of the year. At this time, you should set the mower about 2 settings lower than normal. This will help prevent winter die-back.
With these simple lawn tips, you should be well on your way to a thicker lawn this fall. It takes a little work, but is well worth the effort when spring swings around again.
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