Let’s start with the facts—the kids are back in school, all your vacation days are used up for the year and just looking at the list of chores you need to complete in your free time exhausts you. Welcome to fall.
Actually, autumn is a lovely time to get your yard prepped for next summer. Sure, it may be nine months away, but it will actually take that long for your turf to journey through its life cycle in order to come back strong and healthy next year.
Unfortunately, after months of dry conditions like we’ve had this summer, too many folks mistakenly think it’s okay to just let their lawn go until next spring. Uh, uh, uh. You know, don’t you, that if you ignore something long enough (like your grass) it will go away? And in its place? You guessed it…weeds. Vile, hard-to-kill, ugly-as-sin weeds.
So what can you do now? Here’s a list of must-dos for your lawn this fall:
- Clean up. Raking is like going to the dentist—you hate it, but you know you have to do it. It’s best to deal with those rascally leaves now, rather than waiting until spring when they’ve frozen and thawed and then turned to mush. Make sure you compost your leaves or alternatively, chop them up with your mower and use them as mulch around bushes and plants.
- Aeration. The best time of year to aerate your lawn is right now. At Rock Solid, we recommend aeration at least every other year if you have sandy soil, and every year if your soil is clay. When soil is compacted, it’s difficult for grass to take root, thus allowing hardier weeds to take over. Aeration allows oxygen down to the roots, helping your grass grow healthier, while driving out weeds.
- Seeding or sodding. Because temps are cool, it’s a perfect time to overseed or sod. Repairing your turf now means a more lush and lovely lawn next spring.
- Fertilize. Between now and late October, your lawn will love you if you fertilize. This will give your grass the nutrients it needs to absorb and store over the winter, so that it pops up luxurious and healthy in the spring.
- Sprinkler blow out. Frost can and will extend to your sprinkler pipes and any remaining water in them will freeze, causing the pipes to burst. Having your irrigation system professionally blown out each fall is an absolute must!
If you truly don’t have the time or desire to get to these chores (and a lot of folks don’t) don’t hesitate to call Rock Solid to do the work for you. We’ve got the time, the skill and tools it takes to get the job done. Plus, we love it. And as far as your free time goes—isn’t there a football game on somewhere?
