Tips To Take Care Of The Backyard Lawn During Fall
Lawn maintenance may not be your priority during fall after a long and bountiful summer but it should be. With temperatures cooler than summer but warmer than winter, it’s the perfect time to prepare the backyard for spring. It’s the time when plants absorb as many nutrients as they can from the soil to survive winter when these nutrients are scarce. Many regions also experience heavy rainfall this season due to which you might need a termite control service in St. Lucie to deal with the swarm.
Here’s what you need to keep your backyard in top shape during the fall and prepare it for winter and spring.
Fertilize Soil
Most experts agree that if you want to fertilize your lawn once a year, then you should call a fertilizer service in Palm Beach in fall, Fall is the best time to fertilize the soil because plants grow slowly upwards but their roots grow fast to absorb as many nutrients as they can. This helps them survive the winter and flourish during spring.
You should fertilize the soil during mid or late fall when temperatures start getting cooler. You can use a crank-style broadcast spreader or walk-behind drop spreader. Be sure to fertilize all spots for optimum growth.
Fertilizer For Fall
A fertilizer service in Palm Beach may use fertilizers that are high in potash and phosphates during autumn to protect grass from frost. Feed for spring is usually rich in nitrogen to encourage growth but is not ideal for frosty conditions.
Fill Bald Spots
BBQ season and backyard baseball may have left some empty spots in your otherwise lush turf. Fall is a good time to fill them with a lawn repair mixture available at a garden shop. It usually contains grass seeds, lawn fertilizer and mulch. Loosen the soil with a rake, apply the mixture as instructed and water it every alternate day for two weeks.
Look Out For Termites
If your area experiences rainfall in this season, then you should check for signs of termite infestation like pinholes on the ground, hollow sound from the wood, etc. If you notice some termites, then call a termite control service in St. Lucie.
Apply Weedicides
If you notice weeds in your backyard, now is the time to get rid of them. Use the right weedicides to get rid of the infestation. Some fertilizers come with weedicides mixed in, check whether they are the right kind and in the right proportion or not before applying. A fertilizer service in Palm Beach can also help you fight weeds.
Rake Leaves
Falling leaves are what fall is known for. Raking them to keep the lawn clean is common sense. But most people tend to wait until all the leaves have fallen before cleaning up. Some leave the leaves on the ground in hopes that the leaves will protect the turf from cold and fertilize the soil.
But waiting can be more harmful than you think. The leaves block the sunlight the grass receives and impede their growth. They may also allow the fungus to grow, which can lead to plant diseases and weed growth. You should rake the fallen leaves and dead grass regularly. Rake deep to get as much out as possible.
Keep Mowing
Keep mowing the grass to keep it healthy. Cut it to between 2½ and 3 inches to protect it from snow mold and ensure that the turf gets enough sunlight. But avoid cutting too deep else you might cut the roots and harm the turf’s growth.
Aerate Soil
Aerating the soil once every few years is important to prevent the soil from compacting and ensuring that the roots get enough air and water. You can do this by punching holes in the soil with some spikes. You should do it right before you plan on fertilizing the soil.
Stick To Schedule
You need to apply the above steps in the right schedule to ensure that you get the best results. You can consult a lawn service for the best timing.
