6 Fall Lawn Care Tips

Fall Lawn Care Tips www.tritexgrass.com Fall is the time to repair your lawn from the heat of the Summer months, and prepare it for the harsh winter to come. While dormant to the eye, the root structure of your lawn is still at work. One of the best things you can do is to provide for a healthy root system is to improve the soil quality and cover some basic rules for the following topics. Pre-emergent Herbicide - Now is the time to work to control winter weeds with an application of pre-emergent. If overseeding for winter, don’t apply a pre-emergent herbicide because it will hinder the germination of your turf’s seed. Feeding - Feeding your lawn with an even application of fertilizer is the best thing you can do to boost a strong spring growth. A 3-1-2 mix is a safe bet, but be cautious not to over apply. Try to apply fall fertilizer 2 to 4 weeks before the first frost.Always ‘water in’ after an application of fertilizer. To insure you have the proper fertilizer mix of N (nitrogen) P (phosphorous) and K (potassium or potash), test your soil with an over-the-counter testing kit, available from your local garden supply or take a soil sample to your local AgriLife Extension Agent for testing. Select a slow release organic fertilizer for your soil and sod. If you have questions, contact your local garden supply professionals. When applying, follow all instructions on the packaging and water in as recommended. This is the best way to prepare for cool weather dormancy and protect against Winter Kill. Winter Watering - Water your entire lawn a 1/2 inch/week if rainfall is lacking. Mowing - Don’t ‘scalp’ your lawn in the fall. Mow grass and leave at least 2 inches high. This may vary depending on your grass variety. Continue to mow as long as your lawn is growing.Make sure your mower blade is sharp and do a little maintenance before you putting it away for the winter. Leaf Cleanup - If left on the lawn, leaves can form a wet blanket, smothering your turf and promoting disease. Keep leaves raked or picked up and use them in a compost pile. A small amount of leaves can be mowed and mulched into the lawn. Ground Cover - If you have areas that grass just wont grow, fall is a great time for planting and establishing certain ground cover plants. To find more information for your specific grass variety, go to www.tritexgrass.com. And remember, if you put your lawn to sleep healthy in the fall, it will wake up healthy in the spring!