Spring Fall lawn care is a mystery for many. So many homeowners give up when the weather gets slightly cooler, but continuing good habits into the fall will allow you to work less through the following spring and summer.

Investing a small amount of time to complete a few basic tasks will pay off with big rewards when spring rolls around. Here is a list of a few lawn maintenance tasks that you should be sure to complete in the fall.

TURN YOUR LEAVES INTO COMPOST

Turn Your Leaves Into Compost Raking leaves is the most obvious (and most onerous) task for fall lawn care. Although at times it may seem like a never ending task, it is very important to the health of your turf to stay on top of it.

Raking is for more than just aesthetic purposes. Wet, matted leaves that stay in place for several weeks can block out sunlight and kill off patches of your lawn. Not to mention, any mold or fungus issues in your lawn may become worse with layers of wet, moldy leaves on top.

Leaves make a great addition to your compost pile. Some people like to run over them with a mower first to chop them up, but it’s fine to put them directly on the pile. Newly fallen leaves have more nitrogen, so rake frequently and add to your compost material. This will make a nice addition to your spring garden as a soil additive or mulch.

STOP IGNORING FALL WEEDS

It’s tempting to let those weeds in your lawn and adjacent beds go until spring, but don’t do it! Their roots will continue grow during winter, making them that much more difficult to remove in the spring.

Though dandelions and many other weeds seemingly disappear during the months of cold weather, they are perennial plants that can live for several years. They have just gone underground to plan a stealth attack! Do your weeding work in the fall and you’ll have a weed-free spring.

WHEN TO OVERSEED YOUR LAWN

Overseed Your LawnFall is the perfect time to do a light overseeding of your lawn. Focus on thin areas and bare spots. If you are worried about soil conditions, aerating the lawn will help both existing and new grass. Just like weeds, lawn grasses use the winter to become better established. Fall overseeding allows for more root growth before hot weather returns.

If you’ve ever had trouble with birds eating your new grass seed, that’s all the more reason to overseed in the autumn months. At this time of year, there are a lot more food sources than in spring when growth is just beginning, so birds are less likely to be interested in lawn seed. Another option is to put up a bird feeder. It’s entertaining and the food you put out will be tastier than grass seed.

For most lawns, these simple tasks will result in a lower maintenance property throughout the summer months- when you have better things to do. They take a little bit of effort, but it is time well spent.

If you need advice to keep your lawn and garden looking great, contact us today.