Good lawn care practices in the fall help maintain a healthy, vigorous lawn and can revive a declining lawn. Important fall chores include mowing, fertilization, weed control, and aerification.
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Continue to mow the lawn until the grass stops growing. Cool-season grasses usually stop growing in October in Buffalo. Mow lawns at a height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches in the fall. When mowing, never remove more than 1/3 of the total leaf surface at any one time. For example, if your mowing height is 3 inches, mow the grass when it reaches a height of 4 1/2 inches.
Fertilization
Fall is the most important time to fertilize the lawn. Best results are typically achieved by fertilizing once in the spring and twice in the fall. Fall applications can be made in September and late October. September fertilization promotes a moderate rate of shoot growth and helps to thicken the turf. An application in late October (at the time of the last mowing) promotes root growth and early green up next spring. Apply 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in both September and late October.
Aerification
Lawns established on clay soils and those subject to heavy foot traffic would benefit from core aerification. Aerification relieves soil compaction, improves air and water movement into the soil, and helps reduce thatch accumulation. Aerifiy lawns in September with a machine that has hollow metal tubes or tines. These tubes or tines remove plugs of soil from the ground. Avoid spike-type devices that simply punch holes in the turf. For maximum benefit, the core aerifier should penetrate the soil to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. When finished, there should be approximately 20 to 40 holes per square foot. For the do-it-yourselfer, aerifying machines are often available at rental agencies. Aerification services are also available from most professional lawn care companies. After aerificaton, break up the soil cores by mowing or raking.
Fall is an important time in regards to the health and appearance of your lawn. Good cultural practices at this time of year help insure an attractive, healthy lawn.
Steve Herniak, head groundskeeper, has over 25 years experience in landscaping architecture.