Many homeowners believe that there is little yard maintenance to be done
in the autumn. Au contraire, DIYers! The investments you make in your lawn and
landscape now will help determine the health and appearance of your property
next spring. Check out these eight things to do this autumn to love your
landscape when the temperatures warm.
Feed
your lawn for its long winter's nap. Northern lawns benefit from autumn fertilization while the grass
is still green but has slowed its growth, generally sometime around October,
before the soil freezes. (Fertilizing after the ground freezes is not
recommended.) In the mid-south, lawns benefit from late summer fertilization
followed by a November application. Properly fertilized lawns will green up
early next spring and need less fertilizer as temperatures warm.
Winter
weed woes. If you have a
southern lawn, it will likely go dormant after the first couple of frosts.
During the winter when it is brown and not growing, winter weeds can sprout and
grow without competition. If they are not treated, a green cover of winter
weeds will emerge in the spring, delaying recovery of the health and vibrancy
of your lawn. Talk with a professional about an application to prevent weeds
before they become a problem.
Bye-bye bare spots. Autumn is absolutely the best time to seed thin
or bare areas of your northern lawn. Seedlings will root better and be hardier
next summer than if you delay this process until spring.
Don't leave leaves behind. Don't let tree leaves smother your lawn
during the long winter months. Ideally you can mulch them into the lawn with
the help of a mower as that recycles the nutrients and organic matter they
contain. If you have too many leaves, bagging them with a lawn mower and using
them as mulch on plant beds or adding them to a compost pile are good
alternatives. Be careful not to allow leaves to enter storm drains or
waterways.
Prune plants. Autumn and winter are good times to cut back
overgrown woody plant material. Often called "hard pruning" or
"rejuvenation pruning," this practice removes dead branches and those
branches that are growing back into the plant's canopy or rubbing against other
branches. This practice can also be used to reduce plant size and to create new
stronger buds in hedges that are repeatedly sheared during the growing
season.
Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. Before
you put away your mowing equipment for the winter, prepare it for spring by
running it out of fuel. Fuel left in equipment will spoil and may form gum on
key engine parts that will prevent the equipment from starting. Rather than
leaving gasoline in the gas can all winter, put the gas in your car and
purchase fresh gas for your mower when you take it out next spring. Removing
the spark plug and placing a tablespoon of oil in the head before replacing the
plug is another good step before packing the mower up for winter. If your old
mower is on its last leg, now might be a good time to check out sale prices at
area stores.
Planting bulbs for spring. If you live in the north, crocus,
daffodils, and tulips are the first flowers of spring. Prepare for their
arrival by planting bulbs now so they will be conditioned by cold winter soils
for flowering. These flowers are most dramatic when planted in masses. Color
combinations are widely varied; however, don't be tempted to create a rainbow
of colors from the bulbs. One or two strong colors make a powerful impact
statement.
Get professional help. Renew your lawn and landscape care contract.
Although most lawn agreements renew automatically, some states require an annual
renewal process. Many companies that are planning for next season may offer
special pricing to continuing customers willing to recommit early. If you don't
already work with a professional, it is a good time to research companies and
select the right partner to help you love your outdoor living space.
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