When it comes to planting and nourishing grass seed, fall is the most important time of year. “Fall fertility is more important than spring,” said Mark Grunkemeyer, founder and president of Centerville-based Buckeye EcoCare. “All plants move upward during the spring to produce leaves and fruits. In fall they do the opposite – move down to the roots where (nourishment) is needed the most. Plants have the ability to store food in the fall to build roots.”
This is especially important in our region, where 90 to 95 percent of the soil is heavy clay soil, according to Grunkemeyer.
As for seeding, “You can start right now,” said Freddy Rodriquez, owner of Freddy’s Commercial Lawn Care in Hamilton. And indeed you should – according to Grunkemeyer, the seeding season is over at the end of this month.
2. Keep weeds in check
Not only is seeding more essential in the fall, but also, “fall broadleaf control is more effective than spring,” according to Grunkemeyer. Broadleaf weeds, which include dandelions, are an extremely aggressive category of weeds.
The reason fall is a more effective time to kill these weeds is similar to the reason seeding is important: the weeds are also storing energy in their roots. When the broadleaf herbicide is sprayed on the weeds, they store it in their roots, which means the entire weed is then destroyed.
3. Stay on top of leaves
Although the sight of red and gold trees is beautiful, most homeowners dread the many weekends of leaf raking ahead of them. But don’t give up! Rodriquez says this is one of the easiest and most essential things you can do for your lawn in the fall – and its benefits (or consequences) can last until spring.
“Rake at least up until Halloween,” Rodriquez said. “If you leave them on top, the grass will die. The following year, your grass will look bad, with lots of bare spaces.” A layer of leaves will prevent grass from absorbing sunlight and root-building nutrients. Be sure to also aerate your lawn in the fall for maximum benefit.
4. Lower the mower
Not only is long grass unsightly, but it can cause problems if left unchecked during the colder months. “Lower mowing height slowly for several reasons,” Grunkemeyer said. “If the grass is four inches tall in November, and we get a hard freeze, the winterkill is about 50 percent.”
Winterkill from frost results in grass plants with brown tops.
“If the plants are mowed short – about two inches high – there will still be some winterkill, but much less,” Grunkmeyer said.
Another reason to mow grass short in the fall is, as Grunkemeyer said, “Short grass makes roots spread out vertically, which builds the roots. Build roots in the fall and produce top growth in the spring.”
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