Though yard maintenance typically slows down after the spring and summer months, coastal NC lawns will still benefit from a little TLC this time of year. Fall lawn care helps to revitalize your space, prevent damage over the winter season, and prepare your lawn to flourish once springtime rolls back around.
With a little know-how and a few weekend hours to spare, you can tackle the following Turf Medic suggestions. Your lawn will thank you for it and your neighbors will be wondering: “What’s her secret?”
Below are three tips for prepping your front and back yard for the cooler months ahead. Let’s dig in!
1. Mow Like A Pro
Grass growth will slow down significantly once summer comes to an end. However, you should continue mowing your lawn consistently throughout the fall and winter months. As a general rule, keep cutting your grass until it stops growing, which usually happens when daytime temperatures drop below 50 degrees.
While you may not need to mow as often, in late fall you’ll want to cut your grass shorter than during the summer season. Here are a few Turf Medic tips to get you started:
- Set your mower blades to three or four inches high to start, then gradually work your way down to a shorter length.
- Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass’ total height at one time.
- Cut grass low but be careful not to scalp it. If this happens, the grass might not recover by springtime.
Because days are shorter during fall and winter, keeping your turf trimmed can help sunlight reach the crown of your grass, and therefore, encourage it to remain lush and healthy.
2. Repurpose Fallen Leaves
Although their changing colors are beautiful, fallen leaves can cause disease and fungus to form on your grass if they’re not removed. As leaves pile up, they keep turf from receiving the sunlight, water, and other nutrients it needs to thrive.
Using a leaf blower or rake to completely remove dead leaves is a perfectly fine option and will provide your lawn room to breathe and grow. Alternatively, Turf Medic encourages our clients to repurpose fallen leaves into organic mulch.
Creating mulch is simple:
- Rake dead leaves out of flower beds and away from shrubs and trees.
- Then, use your lawn mower to cut the leaves into dime-sized pieces.
- Spread your mulch around flower beds or your lawn as an all-natural, organic fertilizer. (Since leaf pieces are now smaller, they won’t prevent nutrients from making their way to the grass’ root system.)
3. Sow Seeds, Control Weeds & Fertilize
The fall season is a wonderful time to correct damage that occurred throughout the summer and take steps to protect your lawn over the months ahead.
Plant Grass Seed
You may not need to resow your entire lawn from year to year, but fall is the perfect time to check your turf for thinning areas or bald spots. Over the summer, soil can become compacted, making it tough for nutrients to reach the root of the grass. Before you sow, Turf Medic suggests aerating your lawn. This will allow the soil to breathe and help nutrients penetrate to the root level.
Apply Fertilizer
Fertilizing in late fall will give your blades an extra boost of nutrients before the winter season. Look for a complete fertilizer that has high levels of nitrogen and potassium, which help protect against cold weather, disease, and wear, in addition to enhancing the root system.
Manage Weeds
Weeds may not seem like a big problem this time of year, but they can actually compete with grass for nutrients over the winter months. Apply a liquid weed control to help prevent them and rid them from your yard.
Spring will be here before you know it and we’re committed to making sure your lawn gets off to a stunning start! Follow these Turf Medic tips and you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful spring yard.
Got a question? Give us a call! Our team is knowledgeable and always willing to help you maintain an inviting outside space.