Support Your Local Lawn.
Here are some basic turf tips that will put you on a path to green.
1 Fertilize:
It is important to fertilize your lawn before the extreme cold hits – September & October are the best months. Lawns need food to support root growth throughout the winter and to help produce a stunning green carpet when spring finally arrives. Molbak’s recommends EB Stone™ Natural & Organic Lawn Food. Using organics is healthier and safer for people, pets and the planet!
2 Water:
Many people think that they no longer need to water their lawns as we segue into fall. But, now more than ever, your lawn needs water to help it absorb the fall fertilizer and to grow strong roots, so continue to monitor your lawn watering until the rainy season hits. 3 Control Weeds & Moss:
If weeds are an issue, apply Bonide Weed Beater Fe® once in early fall and again in early spring before weed seeds can germinate. The best defense against weeds in a healthy, dense lawn that outcompetes those pesky weeds! Got moss? Get rid of it with Bonide MossMax®. 4 Rake Leaves:
Keep the leaves off your lawn by raking them as soon as they fall. Lawns needs sunlight, and densely matted leaves will smother or weaken it. They can also breed disease left on the lawn throughout the winter months.5 Aerate:
Soil gets compacted through use and time; by aerating your turf you are offering the roots a chance to breathe and spread. Plus, it allows water and nutrients to reach the root system more easily and also inhibits moss growth. A core aerator can be rented and is similar to using a lawn mower. Aerators work best when the lawn is damp.6 Lime:
If your grass is looking thin or patchy, fertilizer might only provide a temporary boost. Grass doesn’t grow well in acidic soil. Applying lime, such as Espoma Organic Lightning Lime adjusts the pH of the soil allowing your lawn to become thick and lush. The proper pH can also eliminate weeds because the lawn grass will out compete them! You can pick up a simple soil pH test to check. The best time to add lime is after aerating – this allows the lime to settle into the aeration holes and affect a deeper layer of the soil.7 Reseed:
Fall is the best time to reseed and fill in any holes that might look patchy. Simply work the soil up with a rake, spread grass seed, cover the grass seed with about an inch or two of compost, then water as usual. Molbak’s carries several seed blends specially formulated for lawn success in our climate. 8 Mow:
Try to keep your grass 2 inches tall for the coming winter. Grass that is longer is more susceptible to mold and disease. Grass that is shorter is more likely to die over the winter.9 Clean Up:
Do not leave any toys, lawn chairs, etc. sitting on the lawn as the heavy objects will cause the lawn to die. The weight of the objects can also cause the grass to mold and decompose, which could lead to disease in your lawn.
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