The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are starting to dip. It can only mean one thing; fall is here. Fall is a critical time to prepare your landscape for next spring. Cool-season grasses come out of dormancy and begin to grow during this time and develop deep roots. The work you put into your yard now will pay off next here. Here are some helpful fall lawn care tips to help you keep your yard looking great.
Rake Your Lawn
Raking is the most dreaded part of fall cleanup, but it has to be done in order to keep your grass healthy. Letting leaves pile up on your grass blocks out sunlight and also creates the ideal conditions for diseases and fungus to grow. Raking adds the benefit of breaking up thatch that could lead to soil compaction and a host of other lawn problems in the spring.
Care For Your Trees
Fall is a great time to give some attention to your trees. Make sure to protect young and vulnerable trees with tree wraps or trunk wraps. These protect the bark from sunscald which can cause permanent damage to the trunk of your trees. Pests are also a big problem in the fall. In the fall, pests like aphids and tree scale lay their eggs on the bark of trees. In the spring they emerge and begin to feed on leaves or burrow into the tree. Dormant oil is a very effective tool in the war on pests. Just apply some to the bark of your tree and it will smother all insects and eggs hiding there.
Prune Your Trees
Pruning your trees while they are dormant reduces the chances of damage from pests and diseases significantly. This gives the tree time to heal by the time spring arrives. When it’s time to green up, the tree will send the nutrients that would have gone to the lopped-off branches and send them to other parts, boosting growth.
Keep The Mower Out
Your garden may be done growing but your grass is starting to pick back up again. That’s because cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass do their growing in the spring and fall when temperatures are cool. During the summer they go dormant. Keeping your grass at a consistent level is key to keeping it strong and healthy through the season.
Unclog Your Gutters
Fall leaves can get in your gutters and downspouts and cause clogs. This not only can cause structural damage when the water freezes and thaws but it also makes an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. If you remember, mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs so make cleaning out your gutter part of your mosquito elimination routine.
Aerate And Overseed
Your yard can take a beating over the summer. When your soil becomes compact due to frequent use, it can deprive your grass of water and air. Aeration relieves compact soil by pulling hundreds of tiny plugs from the ground so your grass can get the water and air it needs to grow deep roots and thrive. Aeration is one of the best things you can do to your lawn in the fall.
Get Help From the Pros at Emerald Island Lawn Service
Fall is a crucial time for your landscapes. All of the chores that need to be done may seem overwhelming. Luckily, the lawn care pros at Emerald Island can take some of the work off of your shoulders. Our tree and shrub program will ensure that your ornamentals stay strong and healthy through the winter.
Is your grass looking tired and weak? Ask about our aeration and overseeding programs as well.
Tired of mosquitoes keeping you from enjoying your outdoor spaces. Call and ask about our mosquito prevention program.
Give us a call at 865-588-4497 for more information. You can also request an easy quote here.