The days are starting to get shorter, which means that fall is coming up soon. With the changing of the seasons, it’s time for your lawn to receive the all-important fall applications of fertilizer before the cool weather arrives. Your grass grows actively during the summer months and goes dormant during the cool months. So, providing your lawn with the right fertilization, before its natural “rest” period, gives the turf a healthy boost before winter, promotes root growth, and provides vital food reserves for the spring.
So, what exactly does fertilizing your lawn do besides green up the grass? A lot. Applying the right nutrients at this time of year, will help the lawn recover the energy it has used throughout the summer months. It, also, promotes new growth, recovery from wear and pest damage, and reduces the weed population. Regular applications of a good fertilizer, also, replaces the nutrients that have been lost to leaching, volatilization and clipping removal. Late-season fertilization of warm-season grasses should be done after the heat of summer has begun to subside, usually in early fall. It’s important that applications be made early enough so that all of the nutrients have enough time to be absorbed before the beginning of dormancy.
To combat annual weeds, like crabgrass, a pre-emergent herbicide is often combined with fertilizer in the fall. Pre-emergents, actually, prevent weed seeds from germinating and work with post-emergent herbicides in keeping your lawn as weed-free as possible all season. Regular on-going professional care for your lawn, all season, is important. The fall treatments, and other fall services, play a big part in having a thick, green, and virtually weed-free lawn through fall and into next spring.
Benefits of Fall Fertilization:
-Keeps your grass green and growing later into the season.
-Better recovery from the stresses of summer heat and drought.
- Increases the water-holding capacity of grass plants, which helps them withstand the drying and browning effects of winter winds.
-Improves resistance to some cool weather fungus diseases by building over-all plant health.
-Builds food reserves for the winter and increasing root development for denser turf next spring.
For additional information, visit our fall lawn care tips.