A very own private garden is a great advantage to any home. Being able to enjoy the morning sunshine with a cup of coffee barefoot on the grass in front of your house is truly a blessing. But maintaining such an asset in top shape requires attention and regular care.
With the fall season just around the corner we have gathered 5 essential lawn maintenance tips you should follow to keep your turf in perfect condition.
#1 Save your lawn from fallen leaves and persistent weeds
We all love the magnificent colors of the fallen autumn leaves that cover the ground, but they may harm the turf underneath. The carpet of leaves not only keeps moisture in, but also blocks the sunlight which is devastating for the grass. Make sure to rake or blow off all leaves, pile them up and don’t forget those corners if you don’t want to see “bold spots” by the fence next year.
Another thing you should take care of before the snow falls is the persistent weeds. There are different methods to deal with this problem but before choosing one you’d better get to know the type of the weeds growing on your lawn and take into account their consistency.
#2 Mow at the perfect height
No, mowing is not over yet, not until the first hard frost, because the grass is still growing up. You should carefully adjust the mower at the perfect height (between 1½ and 2½ inches / 4 and 6 cm). Being strict with the cutting height is important. If you cut the grass too short, this may curtail the roots, and if you leave it too high, this increases its vulnerability to snow mold. A bit of a relief is that the grass doesn’t grow as quickly in the fall as in the summer.
#3 Let the soil breath by aerating it
The aeration process needs to be undertaken annually or at least once in every two years. Autumn is a great time to do it. Once the soil in your garden becomes compact, the air pockets that allow water, oxygen and nutrients to reach the roots disappear. Specialists recommend using a core aerator that punches holes into the thick layer of compacted roots, stems, and debris and pulls up plugs of soil at the same time.
#4 Apply fertilizers
Right after the aeration process comes the time for the fertilizer that “feeds” the grass with plant sugars, providing essential nutrients and protecting the roots from freezing. First, you’ll need to water the soil, wait for it to dry for a couple of days and then apply a fertilizer of choice. Then lightly water again to wash the nutrients off the grass blades and into soil.
#5 Spread lawn seed
Over time the grass reproduction abilities slow down and you might see thin spots or ever bare patches here and there. Spread lawn seed to ensure a dense lawn that will also protect the turf from weeds. Autumn is a great time to overseed the garden because it’s still warm enough but not as hot as during the summer and there is plenty of moisture in the ground. Spreading grass seeds will stimulate new grass to grow up and cover all unhealthy areas in your lawn and make it steal the show next spring.
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