As summer fades and the crisp air of autumn rolls in, it’s time to start thinking about giving your lawn some much-needed TLC. Sure, maybe when summer first began hitting, you were doing what you could to clean up and take care of your garden, but what you do to prepare for summer and what you do to prepare for Autumn are definitely not the same.
Just like we bundle up and prepare for the colder months, your lawn needs a little preparation, too. Even if the temperature changes are gradual, your garden is going to quickly notice all of this. So, with that all said, here’s what you can do to prepare your lawn for autumn and winter before it’s too late.
Why Your Lawn Needs Special Attention
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of lawn care, let’s talk about why this transitional period is so important. As temperatures drop, your lawn starts to slow down its growth, and this is the perfect time to give it the strength it needs to survive the winter. Plus, usually right when autumn hits, it rains and rains, and that’s also going to stop growth.
So, the steps you take now will not only protect your lawn from the harsh cold but also set it up for a lush, green comeback in the spring. It’s all about giving your lawn the right nutrients, protection, and care to keep it healthy even when it’s dormant.
Start By Aerating Your Lawn
One of the best things you can do for your lawn as it heads into the colder months is to aerate it. Over the summer, your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic, which can compact the soil and make it harder for water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots. But what does this even mean? Well, aerating involves poking small holes in the soil to allow your lawn to breathe.
Believe it or not this simple act of aeration can work wonders, ensuring that your lawn absorbs everything it needs to stay strong through the winter. A lot of gardeners don’t know about this, but yes, this is 100% needed!
Fueling Up for Winter
After aerating, it’s time to feed your lawn. So, that means you’ll want to go ahead and start applying a good fall fertiliser, which is like giving your grass a hearty meal before hibernation. Fall fertilizers are packed with the nutrients your lawn needs to strengthen its roots and increase its resistance to diseases. Look for a fertiliser with a higher potassium content, as this will help your lawn withstand the cold.
Don’t Put That Mower Away Just Yet
What? Really? Yes really! While it might be tempting to retire your lawnmower for the season, hold on a minute. Continue mowing your lawn throughout the fall, but gradually lower the height of your mower blades. So, by the time winter rolls around, you’ll want your grass to be fairly short (but not too short, either). So why?
Well, this height is optimal for reducing the risk of disease and discouraging pests while still protecting the crown of the grass. Basically, if it’s too tall, pests will come, but if it’s too short, it might cause diseases. Plus, too long or too short can cause major problems once it starts to frost and snow, too.
Staying On Top Of Leaf Removal
Yes, Autumn leaves are beautiful, but they can be a nightmare for your lawn if left unchecked. Sure, there are more than enough adorable pictures online of autumn leaves covering gorgeous historical homes, and those piles of leaves also look tempting to just jump into, right?
Well, outside of being Instagrammable, a thick layer of leaves can suffocate your grass, block sunlight, and trap moisture, creating the perfect breeding ground for pests and diseases. Not to mention, those piles of leaves can harbor insects like grubs and worms, which can wreak havoc on your lawn.
Sure, raking leaves takes a lot of time, and it can cause blisters on your fingers (even if you’re wearing gardening gloves). For the most part, you just can’t go wrong with getting a cordless leaf blower. It makes leaf removal a little less stressful and less painful for your fingers, and it just gets it done faster.
Basically, you can do this multiple times a week (three is usually plenty) for a few minutes, compared to raking, which can take around an hour each time. But overall, your grass and the plants on it will be so much happier.
Don’t Let Leaves Get In The Gutters
While we’re on the topic of leaves, let’s not forget about your gutters. Now, if you really think about it, this technically does have something to do with both your house and your law. How? Well, when leaves pile up in your gutters, they can cause all sorts of problems. Blocked gutters can lead to water overflow, which can damage your roof, walls, and even the foundation of your house. But how exactly does this overflow can also affect your lawn?
When gutters overflow, water can pool in certain areas of your lawn, leading to muddy patches, soil erosion, and even fungal growth. So, make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris.
Not All Growth Is Good Growth
Mushrooms might seem harmless—or even kind of cute—but they can be a sign of underlying problems in your lawn. So, they usually pop up around Autumn (hence why those cute Autumn aesthetics tend to show a lot of mushrooms).
Plus, mushrooms typically appear in areas where there’s excess moisture, decaying organic matter, or poor drainage. While some mushrooms are harmless, others can indicate that fungi are taking hold, and not all fungi are friends to your lawn.
You Can’t Forget About Mulching
Mulching is like tucking your lawn in for the winter. While yes, this is usually used for the summer to trap in moisture so plants don’t burn from UV rays, it’s a bit similar for the colder months, too.
So, just by spreading a layer of organic mulch over your flower beds and around trees, you can help insulate the soil, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Mulch also gradually decomposes, adding valuable nutrients back into the soil.
