(ARA) – As summer winds down, heat and drought may have left your grass a little tired. Soccer, picnics and chasing fireflies have likely taken a toll. Luckily, because of cooler temperatures and an increase in precipitation, fall is the best time for lawn rescue.
To many homeowners, early fall yard work may seem overwhelming, but a few 15 minute projects are all it takes to revive the grass you enjoyed this summer. With these simple tips, you can ensure an inviting gathering space for next year.
1. Lush green grass doesn’t just feel good between the toes, it also helps crowd out undesirables. Bare and thin spots provide an opportunity for weeds to get a foot-hold on your lawn, but repairing these troubled areas is quick and easy. To fill in bare patches in a smaller area, apply Scotts EZ Seed, an all-in-one seeding mix, fertilizer and mulch, that takes the guess work out of seeding, and visibly shows when to water by lightening in color. For those larger thinning areas, try “over-seeding” by spreading a high quality grass seed over the entire area. This thickens grass ravaged by heat, drought and play. With a little watering or some help from Mother Nature, your new grass will green quickly this fall.
2. Be sure to feed your grass. Use compost, an organic or conventional lawn food – avoid all-purpose fertilizers labeled for gardening on your grass. So-called “all-purpose” 10-10-10 fertilizer is specifically designed for the nutritional needs of flowers and vegetables and will deliver 10 times more phosphorus than your lawn needs. Always use fertilizers labeled for grass; and when doubt, ask the experts at your local garden center or visit www.Scotts.com.
3. Well-fed grass isn’t just good-looking, but also vigorous. Compared to undernourished grass, a fed lawn needs less water each year and reduces noise, run-off and erosion. In early fall, feeding is a simple step, which can be repeated about a month to six weeks later. Feeding grass with a lawn food like Organic Choice Lawn Food will yield great results for minimum effort. Be sure to use a starter lawn food if you are growing new grass from seed or sod, have over-seeded or patched bare spots until new grass is well established.
4. Leaves are your lawn’s best friend. This fall, use your lawnmower to mulch leaves into dime-sized pieces, then top with winter lawn food made especially to help leaves recycle back into the soil providing food for earthworms and soil microbes.
5. Keep your mower on the highest setting to encourage root growth deep into the soil to lock out weeds. Keep mowing your lawn to its summer height (about 3 or more inches) until it stops growing.
These steps can help give you the lawn you want to relax on with family and friends. Come spring, your grass will be in tip-top shape all thanks to a little know-how this fall.
