3 Single Day Projects to Help Your Lawn Return Strong in the Spring
Not that many people understand that creating a lush, green and healthy lawn actually begins in the fall. Changing seasons will bring a new quick list of items to complete in your yard. For a strong start to your Spring grass, here are three things to help prepare before winter comes.
1) Seed and feed your lawn
Fall is the ideal time to sow grass seed so the grass can establish strong roots before winter. You’ll want to clear the area, removing any leaves, branches and dead grass and weed and then break up the top layer of soil.
If you have a few thin areas, Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun or Shade will help fill in thin spots. It’s a revolutionary mix that combines Scotts’ high-performance seed, premium continuous release lawn food and super-absorbent growing material to help it grow anywhere. For a large area, we recommend Scotts Classic Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix. Don’t forget to water your new grass seed daily!
Even if you don’t need to seed your lawn, fall is the idea time to feed your lawn. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Lawn Fertilizer helps repair damage from the summer heat and delivers nutrients through the fall. It also clears out dandelions and clover, along with other weeds. Two applications of fertilizer is ideal, one in early fall and one in late October or early November before the ground freezes, depending what region you live in. By feeding your lawn in the fall, you’re giving your grass a head start for next spring by helping deepen its roots and replenishing nutrients that are depleted.
2) Clean out debris from flower beds and spread mulch
Clear out dead plants and weeds, fallen leaves and other debris from your flower beds and underneath your trees and shrubs with a rake. This is a great time of year to lay fresh landscape fabric, which will help prevent pesky weeds from invading your flower beds and it also helps maintain soil moisture.
Fall is also a great time of year to lay down a layer of fresh mulch. There are many benefits beyond creating a barrier for weed. Mulch helps prevent soil erosion and it also protecting plans from shifts in temperature. Additionally, it helps trees, shrubs and plants retain moisture.
3) Remove leaves from your lawn
It is important to clear your lawn of leaves in the fall. Many grasses revitalize in the cool fall temperatures after the hot summer. Left on top of the grass, leaves can block the sunlight your grass needs to grow and make it difficult for grass to grow back strong earlier in the season. If you are in a colder zone, snow mold diseases can cause a lot of damage to your grass in winter and spring as well.
Use whatever tool is easiest for you, from a rake to a battery-powered leaf blower, or mulch the leaves with your lawnmower. If you prefer to rake, move backwards as you rake, taking small steps back and rake leaves toward you, almost like sweeping your lawn. Have leaf scoops, and lawn and leaf bags and a lawn and leaf bag holder ready.
A little work in the fall will give you a great looking yard next spring.
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