A stunning lawn doesn’t require an influx of chemicals. Cautious watering, fertilization, and mowing can keep your lawn physically fit, as well as annual aerating and de-thatching. Your lawn can be safe enough to withstand disease, weeds, and drought on its own with the correct strategy. If you still meet these issues, you can often bring about rehabilitation by changing your soil or gardening methods.
Most homeowners believe that in the fall, lawns need less care because the grass grows slower. Indeed, the reverse is the case. In preparing for a long, dormant winter, the grass is busily absorbing power, moisture, and nutrients during this time of year. Give your lawn some exposure now, and in return, a beautiful, good spring lawn will be your reward you. Keep reading to know how to manage for your lawns/gardens.
Aerate the Soil: Fall is also an appropriate period to aerate your lawn so that the roots of the grass are readily reached by oxygen, water, and fertilizer. You can hire for about $65-$70 a day for a gas-powered, walk-behind lawn aerator. The self-propelled device will dig holes into the ground rapidly and remove dirt plugs. Hire a landscaping contractor if you have a very large yard — say, more than 3 or 4 acres if you don’t feel like aerating it yourself.
Water your new lawn: To maintain a new lawn safe, follow these rules:
For Sod- Use a complete lawn roller to compact the sod against the soil foundation after installation. However, be sure to water well. From that time on, 10 days of early morning water. Water strongly enough to wet the soil below the sod, but prevent overwatering that can pull the rolls of sod from the soil.
For seeds- water immediately after sowing, be gentle to prevent washing away the seeds. Repeat once a day or as frequently as necessary to keep the soil moist as seeds may die when dried out. Once the seed has germinated and grassroots emerge, this risk has passed, generally about 10-14 days after planting.
For future growth, use fertilizers: Many lawn professionals agree: if you only fertilize your lawn once per year, does it in the fall. The purpose? As the climate turns cool, grass leaves grow much slower, but the grassroots and rhizomes continue to develop rapidly. (Rhizomes are horizontal plant stems just below the surface of the soil; they generate the grass blades above and the roots below.) Fall fertilizer application provides essential nutrients for the grass to develop deep roots now and maintain nutrients in reserve for a good beginning next spring.
Be sure to wait until mid-to-late fall, then apply dry lawn fertilizer to all grassy regions; be cautious not to miss any areas. Using a crank-style broadcast spreader will not guarantee you full coverage, so consider using a walk-behind drop spreader for optimum coverage. It requires a little longer, particularly on hilly yards, but the best way to apply an even, coherent layer of fertilizer is through a drop spreader.
Weed Control: If widespread weeds have taken over your lawn like dandelions, now is the time to take action. Weeds are in the energy-absorbing mode during the fall, like most crops. In everything that goes their way, they’re drinking, including weed killers. Apply a herbicide now and in the spring the weeds will not return. Also, if you have pest problems in your garden, it is advisable to contact your local pest management company.
Furthermore, before administering the herbicide, make sure to read the package label. Most herbicide companies suggest that the weed killer be applied in early to mid-autumn when daytime temperatures are regularly above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pay attention to drying lawns: If your lawn wilts; turns grey, violet, or blue; or maintains the footprint feeling, it’s on the dry side. Increase each session with the quantity of water you give it. Sandy soil, which drains too fast for the lawn to absorb the water, can also cause dry lawns. Water sandy places, with less water per session, are more likely to make up for this.
