Fall temperatures are finally here and after the hot and dry summer we just endured, the change is welcome! Our lawns have really suffered from the extended lack of rain this season and some have taken it harder than others. The next challenges we face when preparing are lawns for winter are compounded by the fact that many of our lawns are entering the cold weather months in a weakened condition.
So what do we do now to prepare them for what might be another very cold winter? Will the lawns survive? How much damage will occur? These are all great questions, but there are many other factors to consider when evaluating plant heartiness.
Believe it or not the turf grass as well as shrubs have already begun preparing themselves for the cooler months. You may have notice a slow down in growth of all plants right now. This is because the plants are beginning to put more energy into the root system and also beginning to store vital nutrients in the root system for the winter.
So now that we know the plants are doing there part, what do we do to help?
Fall Tip #1: Keep watering your lawn.
The days are cooler and shorter. So your lawn probably won't show quite the same distress it would have during the summer if you let up on your irrigation. Try not to over-water… about once every 10 -14 days will probably be sufficient with out rainfall. It’s best to set your irrigation to the manual position.
Keep up the watering, though, because the better condition your lawn is in when it becomes dormant during the winter, the better condition it will come back in next spring.
Fall Tip #2: Spray for perennial broad leaf weeds.
These pesky weeds, of which dandelions are a particularly common and particularly annoying variety, can be hard to treat. You might be tempted to spray them in the spring when they are in full bloom. Waiting until fall, however, is your best choice.
As the weather cools, the weeds transport nutrients from their leaves to their roots in anticipation of the winter ahead. Spray them now, and they'll take the herbicide down to the roots along with the nutrients. You will see much better and longer lasting result from the herbicides.
Fall Tip #3: Fertilize your lawn.
Spring can be a tempting time to fertilize - you'll see fast results and who doesn't want that? But patience is the winner when it comes to fertilizing, and although you'll have to wait months for the payoff, fall fertilizing will strengthen your lawn's roots, not just cause top growth (which is what spring fertilizing does). With stronger roots, you'll have a thicker healthier lawn for the entire growth season to come.
Fall Tip #4: Put the mower away.
This is probably the hardest thing to do, but if you allow the turf to grow a little higher than normal it will be better protected through the winter months. Basically the higher turf will act like a blanket or insulation for the root system. Now if you are in area where mowing is an absolute must, then try to mow as high as your mower will let you. Whatever you do try not to go out and mow it a little shorter thinking it will keep you from having to mow for a while. These are the lawns that generally will receive the most winter injury.
There are no special chemicals or fertilizers out there that can guarantee against winter injury, but when proper fertilizers and proper cultural practices are followed then at least your lawn will have a fighting chance.
As always if you need us, give us a call!
904-743-8272
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