Here we go again. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were coming out of another long winter and getting ready for spring lawn care . Once again, the days are getting shorter and temperatures are taking a dip signaling the onset of fall, but before we start preparing for winter, it’s time for some end of summer lawn care.
Sharpen Your Blades
After mowing all summer your lawnmower blades naturally become dull. When your blades are dull they don’t cut your grass as well and instead rip or tear the grass giving them jagged edges that turn brown and ugly. Now is a great time to get those blades sharpened so they are ready to go to work in the spring. Check out how to sharpen lawn mower blades here .
Change Up Your Mowing Schedule
Near the end of summer, you should change your mowing habits so that you are mowing earlier or later than usual. This will help protect your freshly cut grass from the intense sun during noon. Keep your blade height at three or four inches to promote deep root growth for the fall. Keeping grass longer will also help prevent water loss and make it more resistant to drought.
Mulch and Compost
Stop bagging your grass clippings in the fall. Instead, let the clippings settle in the lawn to act as a mulch. The fresh clippings will help retain more moisture in the fall. You could also place clippings in your compost pile to use in the spring as fresh compost for the gardens and flower beds.
Know How and When to water
You might not have to water your lawn as much as you did in the summer but even though your grass has slowed down it is still growing and still needs about an inch of water per week in order to stay healthy. As with summer irrigation you want to water your lawn early in the morning before the sun is at its highest to prevent evaporation. Be sure to water deep enough to promote deep root growth which is vital for your grass to make it through the winter.
Pest Control and Disease Management
Temperatures may be dropping at night but we still have many hot days ahead of us before it officially feels like fall and that means bugs and diseases are still something to worry about. Chinch bugs, mosquitoes, and other garden pests are still active and feeding on your lawn so stay alert.
Aerate Your Lawn
As your grass starts to slow down and the growing season comes to an end it’s time to consider aerating your lawn to alleviate the stresses it experienced in the summer. Aeration helps restore your lawns natural beauty by loosening up thatch and compacted soil so nutrients, air, and water can flow back into the roots of your grass.
Hire the Professionals
If you need help with your end of summer lawn care then hire the pros at Custom Personalized Lawn Care . We provide a wide range of services from pest control to lawn aeration so you can rest easy knowing that your yard is in good hands.
