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 A
lawn that has the proper nutrients grows dense, deep roots and recovers from
drought faster. A regularly fed lawn will also be healthier and thicker than an
unfed lawn. Couple feedings with infrequent, deep watering to promote deeper
roots, which provide a larger reservoir of water to draw from.
After the drought passes, keeping this feeding schedule up through the fall
should help your lawn green up quickly. If brown patches remain, fall is the
time to consider raking those spots out and reseeding to get your lawn healthy
for the following spring.
Feed the Need
Even lawns not stricken by drought need nourishment in the fall – and autumn
feeding can make a big difference. Fall feeding can bring a dramatic improvement
as the lawn recovers from summer damage. Treatment with a product such as Scotts
Turf Builder WinterGuard helps “winterize” the lawn, storing vital nutrients so
that underground root development can continue until the ground freezes to ready
the lawn for fuller growth in the spring. Two feedings -- timed around Labor Day
and Halloween -- are recommended for Northern lawns, while Southern lawns are
best-fed four-to-six weeks before the first frost occurs in your specific
region.
Let It Breathe
 In
order to grow, a lawn needs air. As a rule of thumb, if you can’t see the grass
due to leaf coverage, then it’s time to remove the lawn debris from the yard.
Clearing leaves and clippings in the fall will help by removing clutter that
keeps air and sun from reaching the growing grass. Heed caution if mulching
leaves, as a thick layer spread onto the lawn actually does more harm than good.
One great way to let your lawn breathe is through core aeration, which promotes
deep root growth. Aeration removes cores of dirt, thatch and grass and reduces
soil compacting that can keep grass from developing roots deep enough to absorb
rainwater. For best results, choose an aerator that removes plugs of soil, with
the remaining holes at least 3/4” in diameter, 3” deep and no more than 3”
apart.
Overseed
Once the lawn is aerated, look for weak spots in it. Drought, thatch, insects,
disease or seeding too lightly at first planting can make lawns thin or patchy.
Overseeding -- the spreading of grass seed directly onto soil within an existing
lawn -- can improve a lawn’s appearance dramatically and eliminate the need for
a total lawn renovation.
Fall is the prime time to overseed because the warm soil promotes rapid seed
growth and typically, fewer weed problems emerge at this time of the year. If
the thatch layer of dead roots and stems below the green blades is more than
1/2” thick, you should de-thatch the lawn before overseeding. If the presence of
tree roots has resulted in an inadequate topsoil layer, spread a layer of
topsoil, like Turf Builder Seeding Soil, no more than 1/4” over the lawn.
The day before you overseed, mow the lawn slightly lower than normal. Be sure to
use fertilizer when you seed. For the next several weeks after overseeding, keep
the top inch of soil moist to permit growth.
“People often neglect these steps for fall lawn care, but when they finally try
them, they’re amazed by the difference in the spring,” says Marshall. “The old
saying, ‘Beautiful lawns are made in the fall’ is true.”
For more information on fall lawn care and tips on
preparing your lawn for winter, visit www.scotts.com or call 800-543-TURF
(8873).
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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