Preparing Your Lawn for Fall

October 11, 2015

One of the last things you may think about in the fall is your lawn. As the leaves begin to change in Ann Arbor MI, you may be thinking about preparing for winter. However, seasonal cleanup is a must if you want a great looking lawn in the spring. The following are a few things you can do to prepare your lawn for fall:

Mowing the Lawn
Many people in Ann Arbor MI stop mowing their lawns in the fall much sooner than they should. Mowing should continue through the fall until you see that it has slowed in growth. The last time it is mowed, the mower should be set on the lowest setting possible. This allows the crown of the grass to get some sun before snow falls, which will mean less brown grass to deal with in the spring.

Aerate the Lawn
If the soil on your lawn is filled with clay or you have heavy foot traffic on your lawn, you may need to aerate the soil. Another sign of your lawn needing aeration is water doesn’t penetrate the soil very well. If it needs aeration, fall is the best time for it. If you don’t have an aerator, a professional landscaping company is your best bet to make sure it is done properly and at the right time.

Remove Leaves and Debris
An important part of your seasonal cleanup is removing the leaves and debris from your lawn before snow flies. Homeowners who fail to do this step are going to find that spring will be quite harsh on their lawn. The leaves will get frozen onto the lawn in the middle of snow and ice and prevent the sun from getting to the lawn equally. Your lawn will come in patchy and fail to thrive in the spring. The leaves will also promote the growth of fungal diseases.

Fertilize the Lawn
It is highly recommended that lawns get fertilized just one time a year and fall is the best time. The leaves of the grass may not be growing in the fall, but the roots are preparing themselves for cold months and can use the extra nutrients the most at this time. Fertilizing in the fall will give your lawn a much better start in the spring.

Reseed the Lawn
If your lawn has patchy areas, fall is also the perfect time to reseed it. As stated above, this is the time of year that the roots are working hard to prepare for winter and it is the perfect time to start new grass growth. The key is to get it done as early as possible in the fall to allow the roots to get a good start before the first snow storm.

The seasonal cleanup of your lawn may not be your top priority, but come spring time, you will wish that it had been on your list. Whether you do the maintenance yourself or you hire a professional landscaper, when spring breaks and you see the lusciousness of your lawn, you will be happy you did.

Get your yard looking its absolute best with custom landscaping solutions from Twin Oaks. Find us online at https://www.twinoakslandscape.biz/, visit us in Ann Arbor, MI at 4100 South Maple Road, or call us at (734) 213-6911.