Today is the first day here in Florida that it's actually felt a little more like fall, so to honor our wonderful cooler weather trend, I've gathered up the top 5 tips to get your lawn ready for fall!
1. Fertilize!! Fall is the very best time to fertilize your lawn. While the soft, leafy part of the grass will experience slower growth as the weather gets cooler, the vital root system will continue to grow. This makes it prime time to cut the grass extra short and lay down a nice layer of fertilizer. You'll be sure to see some lush green growth start popping up when the weather warms up again next year!
2. Kill those weeds! Like grass, weeds also enter a slow growing season in the cooler months. Take advantage of this and spread weed killer in all of your problem spots. The thirsty roots will absorb the maximum amount of herbicide depending on how dry they are, so try to plan this for a time when your area is experiencing less rainfall. Be sure to be selective when picking out your weed killer, and choose a product that wil be safe for the plants you want to keep, while attacking those you don't.
3. Cut back on mowing! This is for sure the best and easiest tip on the list. Simply sit back and relax!
You don't want to cut the grass too often during it's dormant stage and risk potentially damaging the roots, so take a break and cut the mowing down to only when it's really needed. A useful tip to remember is that you should never remove more than 1/3 of the grass' height if you want to prevent damage and encourage future growth!
4. Rake those leaves! I know, I know. I just told you you could take a break and now I'm telling you to do a different chore. But raking the leaves is necessary to maintain the health of your lawn and other plants. When leaves begin to rot, they will cut off the air supply to the plants you want to stay healthy. Make sure to get out there (or send the kids) to rake the leaves before they begin to decompose!
5. Tend to your landscaping! If you have a lot of flowers, potted plants, or other outdoor vegetation, fall is the perfect time to get them ready for the colder weather. Check online or with your local lawn and garden store and find out which of your plants are equipped to handle the cooler temperatures, and which will need to be covered or brought indoors. Keep some old sheets handy in case of a sudden frost so that you can provide some much needed warmth and insulation to bushes or smaller trees.
Take a little bit of time to prepare your outdoor space for the upcoming winter, and you'll be sure to enjoy a wonderful, green paradise when warmer temperatures return. The weather is perfect for it!
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