If you haven’t already noticed, and excuse us for this friendly reminder, summer is on its way out and before you know it, cooler weather will prevail. Yes, we realize it’s still August, but the signs of autumn are already here. Check your calendar, preseason football starts today, a sure sign of fall. But if you think it’s time to put your lawnmower away and cancel your New Jersey property maintenance, think again, lawn care in the fall is very important. The end of summer does not mean the end of lawn care, here is what still needs to be done.
Mowing
Throughout the fall months, you need to continue watering and mowing your lawn. As the season progresses, drop the lawnmower blade to its lowest setting, this will allow sunlight to reach the crown of the grass and the less likelihood of your grass turning brown.
Aerate
Autumn is the best time to have your lawn aerated. Aeration allows more oxygen, water and fertilizer to reach the roots of your grass. This task is best handled by your lawn maintenance company.
Rake
It is important that any leaves that fall on your lawn are removed as soon as possible. The last thing you want to do is wait until all the trees have lost their leaves before embarking on a leaf-elimination strategy. If you procrastinate, the fallen leaves accumulate on your lawn, get wet from dew or rain, stick together and form a mass that suffocates and otherwise kills your grass. If your grass dies because you didn’t have your lawn raked, it’s a guilt you will live with for a long time. Grassicide is a serious crime.
Fertilize
Lawn experts suggest that if you only fertilize your lawn once a year, it is best to fertilize in the fall. You see, grass grows at a much slower rate in the coolness of fall, but the roots grow quickly. So a fall application of fertilizer will deliver the nutrients essential in maintaining healthy roots over the winter.
Weeds
If your lawn has been taken over by weeds, the best time to fight back is in the fall. Weeds, just like all other plants, are taking in as much water and nutrients as possible in the fall, this includes weed killers. By applying weed killers in the fall, you are ensuring those pesky weeds won’t be back in the spring.
Bald Spots
Fall is the best time to fill in any bald spots you have in your lawn.
