The Biggest Fall Lawn Care Blunders You Can Make

After your lawn survives the relentless heat of summer, it looks forward to the cooler and wetter weather of fall, assuming you don't make one of the biggest fall lawn care blunders. Following this advice will keep your lawn healthy during the dreary, shorter days.

Not Removing Leaves

When you look at your yard on a brisk morning with a cup of joe in hand, the last thing you want to do is spend hours removing leaves from your lawn. Unfortunately, if you decide that watching football all day is a better idea, it could cause problems.

As the leaves accumulate, they suffocate the existing grass and restrict sunlight. It's integral for your lawn to get as much sunlight as possible during the fall to prepare itself for the cold weather ahead.

Sticking to Summer Watering Schedule

During the dry summer, you might crank up your sprinkler treatment to compensate for the lack of rainfall. However, with cloudy and rainy October skies, there's no need for you to water as much as you have been. Overwatering the grass may make it difficult to harden during winter dormancy. You can use a rain gauge to get a precise measurement of how much water your lawn needs.

Waiting To Aerate in the Spring

If you use large equipment on your soil, you risk crabgrass growth and weaker turf. Many homeowners use weed killers in early spring to prevent them from flourishing during the summer. Many only aerate during spring, but that is one of the many misconceptions about lawn aeration. Spring aeration will disturb the soil, penetrating the barrier of the crabgrass treatment you laid. On the other hand, fall aeration won't do nearly as much damage to your turf, so it is preferable to do it in the autumn.

Leaving Thin Spots Alone

Turf has two ideal growth seasons: spring and autumn. But waiting until spring to address these bare or thinned patches might be troublesome. You should avoid using pre-emergent weed treatments in the spring since they will also impede the germination of your new grass seed. Newly sprouting grass is similarly delicate and vulnerable to summertime pressures like bugs and drought. By seeding in the autumn, your new yard will have two opportunities to grow and prepare for the following seasons.

Evading the biggest fall lawn care blunders as a homeowner guarantees your lawn is ready for anything Midwestern weather wants to throw its way. It may take a lot of work to make your lawn lush, but the hard work will be worth it.