As the summer heat fades away and the leaves start to change color, it’s time to prepare your lawn for the cooler months ahead. Fall is the perfect time to take care of your yard, ensuring that it’s healthy and vibrant throughout the year. As homeowners in Suffolk County, New York, you need to be aware of the unique challenges of this region and how to care for your lawn in the fall. In this blog post, we will explore six essential tips for fall lawn care in Suffolk County and how to keep your yard looking its best.
Aerate Your Lawn
Your yard needs plenty of oxygen and nutrients to grow, but soil can become compacted over time, making it harder for grass roots to breathe. Aeration involves creating small holes in the turf, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. Fall is an ideal time to aerate your lawn since the soil is still warm and has adequate time to recover before winter’s arrival.
Fertilizing
Fall is the time to feed your lawn, giving it all the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy. A quality winterizing fertilizer will provide an ample supply of nitrogen to help increase the “green up” speed come spring.
Removing Leaves
Although fallen leaves are beautiful, they can cause damage to your lawn if left to linger. Leaves can suffocate the grass beneath, creating an ideal environment for pests and diseases to thrive. Removing the leaves will also prevent them from clogging up your gutters or yard drains.
Keep Mowing
You will need to mow your lawn regularly in the fall to keep it looking tidy and healthy. However, it’s vital to adjust your mower’s blade height as the temperature cools. Grass growth slows down in the fall, so it is a great time to gradually reduce the mower deck height as it helps prevent snow mold and makes leaf removal easier.
A Weed-Free Lawn
Early fall is the best time to control weeds in your lawn since they begin to store nutrients for winter. Applying herbicide in early-mid September to control weeds will prevent them from returning in the spring, giving your lawn a head start in the rebirth of the season.
Consistent Watering
Although the fall weather is cooler, it’s still necessary to water your lawn until it is time to winterize your sprinkler system. Watering your lawn in the morning can also prevent any excess moisture from sitting overnight, causing fungus to build up.
Make Your Yard Work Easy by Hiring MSG Lawn Care
Rather than spending several hours each week mowing, taking care of weeds and all the other lawn-related tasks that are required to keep your yard looking great, contact the professionals at MSG Lawn Care today to get a quote for your property.