3 Fall Lawn Care Tips You Need to Know About

If you're like most homeowners, you truly enjoy spending time in your outdoor living space, and you don't mind doing everything in your power to keep it looking as attractive as possible. After all, you've probably spent the spring and summer watering, weeding, fertilizing, and mowing your lawn in order to keep it lush and green. 

However, you're probably also looking forward to getting a break from yard and garden chores now that the season is winding down. While it's true that in most areas, you won't have to worry about your lawn for a few months during the cold season, you're not quite finished with lawn chores just because it's autumn. The following are three fall lawn care tips you need to know about. 

Rake the Leaves Twice or More Per Week

Many homeowners decide to wait until their deciduous trees have dropped all their leaves for the season before getting out the rakes, but this approach isn't recommended because it can harm your lawn. If the leaves lie there for weeks, the grass underneath them will die, leaving you with a big mud patch when you get around to raking them up. They also provide habitat for insect and rodent pests and creates a slick surface that may be unsafe to walk on. Raking your leaves at least twice per week during autumn helps keep it healthy and safe. 

Aerate Your Lawn 

Autumn is also an ideal time to aerate your lawn, especially if you have heavy soils, such as those containing significant amounts of clay because these soils are more likely to become impacted. When soils become impacted it can be difficult for oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your lawn grass. If you don't have an aerating machine, you can rent one from your local equipment rental provider. 

Keep on Mowing 

Don't put the mower away yet; you'll still need to mow your lawn throughout autumn, even though its growth will probably slow down significantly as the days get shorter. Your lawn grass will eventually enter a dormant state until warm temperatures bring it back to life. During the last two or three mowings of the year, lower the blade as much as possible while still leaving one-third of the height of your lawn—this will allow more sunlight to reach the individual crowns of your lawn grass and help them form a strong, sturdy root system that will be ready to provide you with a gorgeous lawn next spring. 

If you need more help keeping your lawn in good condition, contact local lawn care services.

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