How to Maintain a Lawn in the Fall

Take good care of your lawn in the fall, and it will look great in winter, spring and summer. Here are the basics on fertilizing, watering, mowing, aerating and over-seeding.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden Hoses
• Garden Rakes
• Lawn Fertilizers
• Lawn Mowers

1. Fertilize cool-season lawns such as bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass with a complete fertilizer (containing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium).

2. Water less as the weather cools or rains increase, but don't let the lawn go completely dry. If necessary, adjust automatic timers to water less often.

3. Mow the lawn when it's one-third higher than the recommended mowing height for that type of grass (see the Related eHows).

4. Leave the clippings on the lawn. They'll add nutrients as they break down.

5. Aerate cool-season lawns to improve water penetration and reduce thatch.

6. Encourage dormancy of warm-season lawns like Bermuda grass, zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass by cutting back on water and not fertilizing. Mow as necessary.

7. Renovate cool-season lawns that have been doing poorly (see the Related eHow).

8. Over-seed warm-season lawns with ryegrass or tall fescue to keep them green in areas where winter is mild (see the Related eHows).

9. Rake up fallen leaves so they don't smother the grass.

Tips & Warnings

• You can rent a power aerator at a local rental shop.
• Be very careful using power lawn equipment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
• Do not fertilize a dry lawn or fertilize in hot weather.

[majorian]

on 8/21/2007 Decide what wear and tear your lawn will get.

If it's going to take heavy foot traffic ot the kid's playing on it, choose a mixture of ornamental and hard wearing grasses.

on 11/22/2005 In warm climates, it's best not to do anything drastic until the weather cools off - usually in October.