As summer winds down and the seasons shift, its time to change the way you approach your lawn. As sad as it is to say goodbye to summer, a great summer yard is cultivated all year long – including in the fall. Autumn is the perfect time to change the way you’re approaching lawn care to ensure it remains healthy even through the winter months.
1. Adjust your mowing timeline
During the summer people have to mow more frequently to keep up with the speed that their grass was growing. As summer winds down, your lawn is going to need a less frequent mowing schedule. You may want to stick to your routine of mowing every other Saturday, but your lawn may not need a “haircut” as frequently once temperatures start cooling down. Fall is also a good time to look at the height of your mower blade and re-evaluate where you’ve set it. Based on the type of grass you have, you may want to go as low as 1-inch. Finding the correct blade height can be a pain, so you may want to talk to an expert to help you out.
Winterization tip: It might not be time for winter just yet, but as your mowing schedule slows down, now is also a great time to take a look at your mower itself. When was the last time you cleaned the undercarriage or sharpened your blade? Now’s a good opportunity to take stock before the weather gets too cold.
2. Aerate (maybe!)
Aeration is the process of puncturing holes in your lawn to allow air and nutrients to seep in. It’s a fairly involved process, and we’ve got a whole article about what you need to know here. Fall is one of the two times a year when aeration will have the greatest impact if you have the type of grass for it. Cold weather grasses respond stronger to aeration as the weather is cooling. Common types of cold weather grasses in North Carolina include Bent, Kentucky Bluegrass, Rye, Tall and Fine Fescues. The professionals at Atlantic Mulch can help decipher what type of grass you have if you aren’t sure.
3. Plant a Spring Garden
Fall is the perfect season for planting, as the soil is already warm from the summer so roots can begin growing quickly, but the weather outside is cooler so it’s easier on us – the planters!
Don’t just go planting anything though; certain plants thrive after experiencing winter. By preparing your spring blooming flowers in the fall season, you can rest easy knowing you’ll have a colorful garden to greet you once winter ends. Great flowers to plant for a spring bloom include:
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Tulips
- Crocus
- Pansies
These flowers all have different optimal growing conditions, so you’ll want to consult with an expert if you want a mixed flowerbed. Some of these flowers also benefit from being planted directly before an expected freeze, so they are best planted later in the fall.
4. Fertilize (or not)
Fertilizer is a great tool to encourage growth and provides essential nutrients to our yards and gardens. The right fertilizer at the right time can be the key element in whether your yard and garden thrive or not.
So, when is the right time to fertilize? Many lawn experts suggest late fertilization towards the end of the year in November and say it can encourage strong spring growth. You could also follow the advice on the package of your fertilizer of choice. But both of these options are just general advice for all lawns and don’t take into account regional difference. North Carolina winters can vary wildly, meaning your lawn care will have to adjust to what the season brings.
Consult the Professionals at Atlantic Mulch for all of Your Fall Lawn Care Needs
The best way to keep your lawn healthy is to consult experts in your area, like the team at Atlantic Mulch. We are able to provide expert advice catered to your specific lawn and to the type of weather you’re experiencing. As North Carolina residents, we are well versed in the local climate and vegetation of our great state – we can provide expert analysis and help you pick out the best tools to complete the job with minimal hassle.