Lawn care in autumn: 8 expert tips for lawn care (2023)

Fall lawn care is something that is often overlooked when the weather starts to change, making being outdoors less attractive, but good practices can make a big difference during the winter and especially early spring when you wishmake your grass green and thick.

However, autumn lawn care should not be done with spring ahead. Now is also the perfect time to seek and preventcommon lawn problems, such asmanchas na grama. And while it might not address every problem now, you can start laying the groundwork for lawn repairs later.

Here, we've rounded up fall lawn care tips from leading experts, so yours can make it through the winter in good health.

autumn lawn care

We're all guilty of a few basic mistakes when it comes to caring for your fall lawn before it goes dormant for the winter. See how to avoid them.

1. Seed your lawn

Seeding a lawn in early fall can help the lawn turn green and bushy the following spring. “To establish well, grass seed requires the right amount of heat, light, water, seed distribution, and good contact with the soil. Generally speaking this means that any period between March and October will be suitable, but September is the golden month to do this important garden work,” explains Guy Jenkins, turf specialist atJohnsons Grass Seed(opens in new tab).

“As the days get shorter in the fall, the grass starts to go into its dormant period and migratory birds start to return home, which means there are fewer of them to gobble up the newly dispersed seeds.”

Fall planting falls into two categories:planting grass seedsfor the first time andreseed a lawn in autumn.

Seeding a new lawn, Guy suggests so; “Ideally, the soil should be moist, warm and soft, so choose your time well, waiting until it rains decently and when the weather is mild. Prepare the bed well by clearing perennial weeds, breaking up hard, uneven areas, and removing large rocks.

'Turn the soil over to let in some oxygen and dig up some well-rotted organic matter if the soil is especially poor or sandy. Pinch the area so the soil is firm and let it sit for a few weeks. If you are seeding a large area, divide it into sections using string supported by garden reeds, then sow evenly at the rate indicated on the box. Lightly scrape the seed into the soil and water gently with as fine a mist as possible, trying not to cause puddles that would flood the seeds and cause them to clump together.

'Finally, stay off the grass! Give the seeds a chance to settle down properly by watering regularly in the absence of rain.

"The fastest way to revive your existing lawn is to reseed it," says lawn care expert David Truby, CEO ofgreen sleeves(opens in new tab). Overseeding is a lawn rejuvenation treatment that can be applied in addition to scarifying or aerating. Not only does this improve the quality of your lawn, it also repairs bare patches and makes your lawn more resilient by increasing shade, drought tolerance, and disease resistance.”

2. Fertilize your lawn

In addition to sowing or overseeing your lawn, grass, like other plants, greatly benefits from a timely application of fertilizer in the fall.

‘During the summer months, prolonged heat, wildlife or general wear and tear will damage your lawn. This makes fall the most important time of year to feed your lawn. Knowledgehow to fertilize a lawnand using the right fertilizers will help your lawn recover from the summer and stay thick and healthy during the cooler part of the year, as well as help you avoid a number of pests that can damage your lawn,” continues David Truby of Greensleeves. .

3. Focus on mold prevention

"Autumn is the time of year we associate with seeing colored mushrooms and other mushrooms," notes David Truby of Greensleeves. “However, there are also ubiquitous fungi, such as fusarium and red thread, which can infect the lawn and cause great damage”, he warns.

‘The first step in treating grass damage is to establish its cause. Symptoms such as brown spots, spots, or stickiness are telltale signs of certain types of fungus, but grass damage can also be caused by mold, moss, insects, and wildlife.

"While scarifying, aerating, and repotting can help reduce fungal invasion, the best course of action would be to call in the professionals to take care of the problem using a specialized fungicidal formula."

4. Put insecticides

“Various insect larvae are active in the fall and, if they feed on their roots, they can do immense damage,” warns David. “While moss, thatch, and other lawn diseases can do serious damage to your lawn, the most catastrophic damage is often caused by common insect larvae and grubs.

"Bug infestations are more common than you think and can be difficult to treat if you don't know how."

Look for an eco-friendly biological insecticide treatment that targets and kills some of the most common harmful insect infestations such as leather jackets and chafer larvae. To checkWhen is the best time to remove grass?, also.

5. Make a move on the moss

Although some people like the idea of ​​amoss garden, others may see moss as an invader of their perfectly manicured lawn. "Moss often becomes a big problem during the fall and winter and can overwhelm a lawn in a short amount of time if left untreated," explains David Truby of Greensleeves.

“As a highly adaptable and hardy plant that thrives in areas of shade, moisture and poor-quality grass, moss not only makes your lawn look patchy and spongy underfoot, it also robs you of its nutrients. .

'However, if you find moss in your lawn, don't panic! You can treat it with scarification, a mechanical treatment that removes thatch and moss, preventing many lawn diseases and helping to maximize the amount of water and nutrients that can reach the roots.”

There are also some home treatments for garden moss such asuse detergent to kill the moss, which might be easier for small patches of moss.

6. Tends to brown spots

Brown spots on green grass can look unsightly, but they can be easily avoided by giving the grass time to breathe and recover in the fall.

“Ideally, anything that should be on your lawn should be moved every day. If that's not possible, take the time to use fertilizer to help it recover,” suggests gardening expert Laura Schwarze of Wicker Outdoor Furniture Expert,luxury wicker(opens in new tab). ‘To avoid brown spots on your lawn, place your outdoor furniture on a patio, deck or artificial grass to help keep your grass free. If that's not an option, rotate patio furniture regularly to help prevent lawn damage.

7. Aerate your lawn

many people askwhy aerate a lawneach year, as the task can be time-consuming. However, aeration has a variety of benefits, especially if you knowwhen to aerate a lawnfor the best effect andhow to aerate a lawncorrectly.

"Aerating the lawn improves the color and lushness of the lawn because the roots can more easily absorb nutrients from the fertilizer," explains turf specialist Chris McIlroy ofthe grass people(opens in new tab). “There is less chance of moss, weeds and turf diseases forming, and this gives the turf a quicker recovery from heavy use in hot, cold or wet weather like what we see in the fall. Also, aeration helps improve drainage and reduces the chances of puddles.”

Aeration is ideal when printing or trying tofix a waterlogged lawnduring autumn and winter too.

"For a small to medium sized lawn, mow, shred or core methods are best for a small to medium sized lawn," says Chris. When using a garden fork, firmly press the surface down to at least 30 mm, then rock the fork back and forth a little and remove it. Doing this cracks the floor a little to create a hole in the floor to allow for airflow. This can be done during spring and autumn as it has a good effect on the lawn. A lawnmower can also be used as it can affect a larger area and is generally quicker to use but may not be uniform in depth across the entire lawn. Both methods should be avoided in very dry or very wet conditions.”

“Corners are best used for large areas,” continues Chris, “as well as for heavily compacted soil, this will remove clods of soil, usually 5-7 centimeters. These machines tend to push a core of soil out of the soil, which usually only happens when the soil needs better aeration and drainage. The holes can be filled (lined) with sand to help water pass through the soil. This method is typically used by gardeners who need to improve their soil profile; so if you're not sure you can do the job, hire a professional.

You can buy this simple yet effective grass gin/aerator on Amazon.(opens in new tab).

8. Mow and rake your lawn

"In the winter, the humidity and lack of sunlight take a toll on the lawn," says Leigh Barnes, landscaping expert atjacksons fencing(opens in new tab). As the leaves fall, rake them regularly. You should complete a final cut in early November whenever dry.

Instead of composting fall leaves, consider using them as a natural mulch for your flower beds. "A blanket of fall leaves in any flowerbed will provide a layer of protection against the inevitable severe frosts and freezing snow associated with winter," adds Leigh.

What should I put on my lawn in the fall?

If you want to protect your lawn through the fall and winter and prepare it for a spring growth spurt, apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to your lawn in the fall period. This will provide your grass with plenty of nutrients to survive the winter and grow stronger and thicker in the spring.

Is October too late for overpopulation?

While October is not too late to reseed your lawn, it should be done as early as possible. Sowing a lawn in late October leaves the seeds at risk of winter frosts from November to January. September is the best time to reseed your lawn, no later than early October if you want to give the seeds the best chance.