Preparing Your Lawn For A Well Deserved Rest

After a long season of mowing, dogs running, kids playing, and summer activities on your lawn, it is time for it to take a well-deserved rest. Before the cold weather sets in and the snow starts flying, there are some things you can do, which will help produce healthy turf in 2016.

Core Aeration:
Aerating your turf will break up the compacted soil, allowing nutrients, air, and water to penetrate to the grass roots. The roots will be able to expand, giving you a healthier and thicker lawn next season. This is also the perfect time to overseed. This will increase your lawn’s volume.

Shorter Cuts:
Your last couple of mows of the season should be a little shorter in height than during the warm months. By cutting your lawn shorter in late fall, you will help to prevent snow mold from developing on your turf.

Late Fall Feeding:
A late fall feeding with a quick-release, high nitrogen fertilizer is a must. It will promote root development and help the lawn to store energy reserves. The feeding will also help the cool season lawns keep their color longer. The results from a late fall feeding can be seen next spring and summer with an earlier green up, thicker turf, and a higher tolerance to spring disease, such as red thread. This application should be done after the last mow, but while the grass is still green. A quick-release nitrogen, such as 34-0-4 All Mineral or 46-0-0, are an ideal product for this last feeding. The application rate for this feeding should be .5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Both of these products can be found at your local ATS location.

On a personal note, I like to do this application on Thanksgiving Day. It helps me justify all the food I’ve eaten and the well-deserved nap I take after working on my lawn on a holiday! Have a great Thanksgiving, a merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year! See you all in 2016!

Dave Bash
ATS Counter Sales