The summertime is never as long as we want it to be, and fall always seems to sneak up on us. As we start to put away the swimming shorts, harvest the last fruits from the garden, and gear up for back-to-school, there are some chores that are on the list for homeowners that we need to fit in.
There is a lot of work that has to go into caring for a lawn. Especially so if we have grass that we’re trying to heal or encourage to grow greener and lusher. The best way to do this is to be proactive with lawn care and not waiting for a problem to arise before we do something about it.
And while that’s always easier said than done, having a list of what to do and how to get the best jump on lawn care can really come in handy.
And we’re happy to help. Here are 15 things that homeowners should do to their yards before the fall hits or before the cold weather rolls in. Some of these are fast and simple, others take a little extra planning, but all of them will make a big difference.
Remove the Dried Leaves
Just at the very end of the summer months and just before the fall really takes hold, the leaves on the trees start to fade from green to orange, fall, and litter the lawn. Before the fall and cold weather really hits, making sure to remove the dried leaves off the grass helps protect the grass for when the spring hits. These leaves can be collected and used as mulch around the trees and gardens.
Cut the Grass the Ideal Height
As the summer months wind down, we have to do what we can to help winterize the lawn or protect it best for the cold weather. Cutting the grass should still be done, but doing so in the late afternoons or early mornings, before the sun is at its hottest, will ensure the grass doesn’t get damaged. Also cutting the grass between 2 and 3 inches is ideal.
Fertilize the Lawn
Depending on where you live, fertilizing the lawn might be done best right at the end of summer or before the first frost hits in the fall. We want to make sure the fertilizer is able to get into the roots of the grass with enough time before the ground freezes. It’s going to help the grass come out super beautifully in the spring.
Reseed the Grass
If there are bare or spotty patches of grass on the yard, the best time to lay down some more seed is just before the colder weather in the fall. This gives the grass enough time to take hold, rest through the winter, and sprout up with healthy roots in the springtime. Best to do this when the wind isn’t too strong, and it can be done by hand or with a seed spreader.
Loosen the Soil
Packed soil, particularly in areas where we have flowers or gardens growing, can hinder the flow of water that’s necessary for our plants to grow their best. Being able to loosen up the top soil before the ground freezes in the fall ensures that when the winter hits and turns into spring, there’s enough drainage so we don’t have to deal with waterlogged soil.
Edge the Flower Beds
There is something about crisp and clear edging around our flower beds and gardens. It always looks so much cleaner, and getting that chore out of the way before fall hits will keep the yard looking its best before the lawn is covered in snow. The biggest benefit of doing this before fall hits is it’ll be one less chore to do in the spring.
Trim Trees & Hedges
Trees and hedges don’t grow during the cooler months, and many go dormant for the season. Trimming hedges and tress is a good task to add to the to-do list before the fall hits so that it’s not being done when colder temperatures hit. This helps the plants conserve energy for their dormant period, and can also help prevent damage from winter storms.
Pick Up Sticks & Other Debris
It feels like it’s not a big deal to leave sticks and other debris all over the lawn, no one is going to use it once the colder weather hits, right? But leaving them on the grass might lead to killing the grass underneath, especially if they’re left there all fall, winter, and into spring. Picking these up will make for a happier time when the spring arrives and it doesn’t have to be done then.
Aerate the Soil
Aerating the lawn by putting holes in the soil to help air flow, can be the missing key to get full, healthy grass with soil that’s fertile, rich, and properly draining. Doing this just before the cooler weather of the fall hits is ideal so that the soil is ready for the springtime when we want to see our lawn grow strong and healthy.
Protect Plants Sensitive to the Cold
Some plants really don’t like to be cold and before the colder weather of the fall — and especially before the winter weather — hits, taking care to protect the cold-sensitive plants is essential. Depending on the plant, they can either be brought inside for the winter or things like shrubs can be covered with weather-protecting fabrics.
Water the Grass
To help make sure the grass survives the cold fall and winter, watering the grass will go a long way. The healthier the grass, its roots, and the soil is before the cold weather hits, the better the grass, plants, and gardens will fare. Make sure not to overwater the grass, though — no one wants to deal with fungus on the grass.
Weed the Flower Beds & Garden
Weeding the flower beds and gardens isn’t one of the most fun chores, though some find it therapeutic. But whether it’s a favorite task or not, making sure the flower beds are weeded well before fall hits helps ensure that the springtime doesn’t come with all that to fix first.
Add Mulch to Flower Beds
Protecting the roots of perennial flowers from the freezing cold is best to do before fall hits and the weather is a bit more unpredictable. Using mulch, which can be wood based or straw, gives the roots just the right amount of protection to shield from some cold without suffocating them and impacting the springtime growth.
Plant New Perennials
It may seem strange to plant new things just before the end of summer, but it’s actually the best time to take out perennials that aren’t serving the landscape well anymore and replace with new ones. The soil is ideal for it and it will give the plants a small but important head start before winter hits, too.
Clean & Store Tools & Equipment
Making time to clean all the tools and equipment and store them away securely will help ensure the longevity of the equipment and also will have it all set for next spring when it all needs to come out again. Future you will thank past you for handling that as they were being stored so it doesn’t have to be done right when ready to yard lawn care back up in the springtime.
