Fall is the Time to Rejuvenate Your Ohio Lawn
As I am writing this, it is a Saturday and today is the first day of Ohio State Buckeye football! And though I am looking forward to seeing the Bucks this afternoon while I enjoy a cold brew, I can’t help but think about my lawn and what I need to do in order to bring it back from the tough summer.
Beginning in late summer through early fall, your lawn’s roots are beginning to spread and thicken. This is the best time for any major lawn rehabilitation. A little effort now will bring a healthier lawn with less work during the next growing season.
There are four areas to focus on when it comes to lawn maintenance in the fall.
Fertilizer:
Fall is the best time to routinely fertilize. It’s this time of year your fertilization will make a bigger impact on the health of your lawn. I always recommend slow release organics such as Milorganite or Ringer be put down in early September as these will not push excessive top growth. However, if you plan to hire a Dayton area lawn care company, ask them to use “starter fertilizer” all through the fall as this blend will better feed the root system.
Soil Conditioning :
Upgrade the condition of your soil this time of year by adding a layer of peat moss or other organic material. You can achieve this easily by leaving a layer of mulched leaves to decompose (in other words, use the mulching feature on your lawn mower to grind the leaves to bits instead of raking them up this fall). Also; consider, without debate, an aeration of the lawn. This is typically only needed every three years but most of your better golf courses do this annually. And that’s enough persuasion for me.
Grass and grass density:
Immediately after your aerating is done you have an ideal opportunity to overseed. A high quality seed “blend” is recommended over a “mix.” Always buy expensive seed as it is better filtered from weeds. A high quality blend will give you grass that is more resistant to pests and disease as well as extreme weather conditions.
Ph levels:
Fall is also the best time to add some lime to your soil. Most lawns are naturally acidic and a routine treatment with lime will keep the Ph in a safe range of 6.0 – 7.2. Soil that is too acidic or alkalinized can be difficult for beneficial insects to survive. Lime also adds much needed calcium and magnesium and enhances the soil structure which will benefit grass seed germination.
Essentially there is much to do in the fall. But if these tasks get accomplished this will translate into less mowing, less watering and less pest and weed controlling in the following growing season.