- 1. Rake regularly<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Keep watering until the ground has frozen<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Dethatch, if needed<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Aerate to give roots room to grow<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Test your soil, if needed<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Overseed before the first frost<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Fertilize for strong growth<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Control weeds with herbicide<\/a>
- Pre-emergent herbicide<\/a><\/li>
- Post-emergent herbicide<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 9. Time your last mow<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Winterize your sprinklers<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Tuck in your garden<\/a><\/li>
- Hire a pro to prepare your Albany lawn for winter<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Rake regularly<\/span><\/h2>
\u201cSo, where are all the trees?\u201d is a question no one\u2019s ever asked while visiting Albany. From red maples to white oaks to pagoda dogwoods, we have no shortage of gorgeous deciduous trees, which means loads of fall color \u2014 and a fair amount of raking. <\/p>
Rake your leaves every three to four days<\/strong> to keep your lawn healthy. Why? Dead leaves prevent sunlight, water, and nutrients from reaching your soil and grass roots, which causes soil compaction and invites disease and pests. <\/p>
By raking in fall, you\u2019ll keep your soil healthy, loose, and oxygen-rich for strong grass growth in spring. <\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> Don\u2019t toss your dead leaves in the trash! Either mow them<\/a> and leave them on your grass to decompose, or compost them<\/a> to spread over your lawn or garden in spring. Shredded leaves are an excellent organic mulch<\/a> that\u2019ll give your grass a nutrient infusion. <\/p>
2. Keep watering until the ground has frozen<\/span><\/h2>
As the weather cools, it\u2019s tempting to retire the sprinklers and ditch the hose, but keep up your watering routine until grass stops growing and the ground freezes. <\/p>
A big secret to Albany lawn success? We grow cool-season grass here, which means it grows most productively in spring and fall (not summer!). So, fall watering is vital to vigorous growth, strong roots, and winter survival. Give your grass 1 inch of water per week<\/strong>.<\/p>
When to stop watering in fall:<\/strong> Stop watering after our first hard freeze, typically in late October to early November<\/a>. A hard freeze is when the air temperature falls below 28 degrees Fahrenheit, so it\u2019s cold enough for both the air and the ground to freeze.<\/p>
Follow these watering tips for Albany lawn success: <\/strong><\/p>
- Water in the morning before 10 a.m. to minimize evaporation from the midday sun. Do not water at night, as this will invite diseases and pests.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
- Water deeply and infrequently (once or twice a week) to encourage deep root growth. Shallow, frequent waterings train grass roots to stay near the soil surface, which makes them weaker and less drought-resistant.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
- Avoid watering your grass when temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The air temperature may not be freezing, but frosty winds can cause a sheet of ice to form overnight and suffocate your grass<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Do not water grass when there is snow cover, as this can cause grass suffocation and matting.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Dethatch, if needed<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> If your grass looks thin and patchy, or if weeds are invading, your lawn may need to be dethatched so grass roots can get the nutrients they need. Dethatching<\/a><\/strong> is the process of vigorously raking the soil surface to remove the layer of thatch from your lawn. <\/p>
What is thatch? <\/strong>Thatch is the layer of dead organic matter (like leaves and grass particles) that lies between blades of grass and the soil surface. A little bit of thatch is healthy: It insulates the soil and gives grass roots a nutrient boost. But, when the thatch layer gets too thick (over half an inch), it prevents water, air, sunlight, and nutrients from reaching grass roots. <\/p>
How to tell if you need to dethatch: <\/strong>Insert a measuring stick into your grass and measure the spongy brown layer of matter between your grass and the ground. If it\u2019s over half an inch thick, it\u2019s time to dethatch. <\/p>
How to remove thatch:<\/strong> Deeply rake your soil surface using a manual dethatcher, electric dethatcher, power rake, or verticutter<\/a>. For smaller areas, a manual or electric dethatcher may be sufficient. For larger lawns, opt for a power rake or verticutter. <\/p>
Benefits of dethatching: <\/strong><\/p>
- Increases the flow of nutrients and oxygen<\/li>
- Strengthens roots and encourages deep growth<\/li>
- Exposes young grass shoots to sunlight<\/li>
- Improves the effectiveness of fertilizer<\/li>
- Controls weeds and reduces the need for herbicide<\/li>
- Reduces susceptibility to disease, fungus, and pests<\/li>
- Saves water\u00a0<\/li>
- Reduces runoff pollution<\/li> <\/ul>
When to dethatch: <\/strong>Dethatch in late August to mid-September,<\/strong> when our cool-season grass is still actively growing. Dethatching is temporarily stressful for your grass, so it\u2019s important to give it time to recover before the winter freeze. <\/p>
How often to dethatch: <\/strong>Most Albany homeowners don\u2019t need to dethatch every year, as dethatching is only necessary when the thatch layer gets too thick. With proper mowing, watering, raking, and fertilizing practices, you\u2019ll only need to dethatch every few years. <\/p>
4. Aerate to give roots room to grow<\/span><\/h2>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\")
<\/figure> Think aeration and dethatching are the same thing? Think again! While they\u2019re often done in succession, aeration and dethatching accomplish different goals. Aeration<\/a><\/strong> is the process of poking holes in your soil to alleviate compaction, give roots a space to grow, and increase the flow of nutrients.<\/p>
Imagine your lawn is getting a facial. Dethatching removes the first layer of dead skin (or, in this case, thatch). Then, aeration exfoliates the pores so your lawn can breathe again. <\/p>
Aeration: <\/strong><\/p>
- Gives roots space to spread<\/li>
- Increases the flow of nutrients, air, and water<\/li>
- Loosens soil and reduces compaction<\/li>
- Encourages dense, green grass growth<\/li>
- Increases your grass\u2019s drought resistance<\/li>
- Reduces fertilizer and pesticide needs<\/li>
- Increases resistance to disease, fungus, and pests<\/li>
- Increases the population of beneficial soil organisms like bacteria and earthworms<\/li>
- Reduces runoff and erosion<\/li> <\/ul>
When to aerate:<\/strong> Like dethatching, aeration is a strenuous process, so it\u2019s important to give your grass time to recover before the cold winter weather. Aerate your lawn in early fall, right after dethatching<\/strong>. It\u2019s easiest to aerate when the thatch layer is freshly removed.<\/p>
How often to aerate:<\/strong> Aerate your lawn every year or every other year, based on the condition of your lawn. If kickball games, hide and seek, and puppy rampages are frequent occurrences in your yard, it\u2019s a good idea to aerate every year. Otherwise, Albany\u2019s loamy Honeoye soil<\/a> is fairly resistant to compaction, so every other year may be sufficient.<\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> Leave soil cores on your lawn after aerating. They\u2019ll act as natural compost and work their way back into your soil within two to four weeks. It\u2019s a great idea to overseed your lawn after aeration while the soil is open.<\/p>
5. Test your soil, if needed<\/span><\/h2>
Is your soil due for a checkup? If it\u2019s been over three years since your soil was tested, or if you\u2019re about to make a big landscaping change, it\u2019s time to order a pH and nutrient analysis. <\/p>
The Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District<\/a> offers affordable soil pH and nutrient testing to Albany homeowners. They\u2019ll sample your soil, fill out the paperwork, and send the sample for testing. In one to two weeks, you\u2019ll get your complete soil report, including fertilizer and lime recommendations. <\/p>
A soil test tells you: <\/strong><\/p>
- Your soil\u2019s nutrient levels and deficiencies<\/li>
- pH levels (acidic, neutral, or alkaline)<\/li>
- Salinity (salt) levels<\/li>
- Soil issues that may be stunting plant growth<\/li>
- What organic or synthetic additions your soil needs<\/li> <\/ul>
With your soil report in hand, you can make the necessary soil amendments<\/a> for your grass and plants to thrive. With Albany\u2019s slightly acidic Honeoye soil, you may need to give your garden a dose of wood ash or lime to raise the pH. <\/p>
Test your soil every three to five years<\/strong> or when you\u2019re making a big lawn change, like transitioning from a turfgrass backyard to a wildflower meadow<\/a>. <\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> Don\u2019t send in wet soil samples. Wait until a dry day to test your soil. If you\u2019re taking your own samples, follow the Albany County Cornell Cooperative Extension\u2019s instructions for sampling your soil<\/a>. <\/p>
6. Overseed before the first frost<\/span><\/h2>
Did the last kickball game of summer do a number on your lawn? If your lawn has bare patches, fall is the perfect time to overseed<\/a><\/strong>. Remember, fall is an especially productive season for our cool-season grass, which means grass seeds are itching to sprout.<\/p>
When should I overseed?<\/strong> Spread seeds at least 45 days before the first frost <\/strong>to give seedlings time to establish before the cold snap. In Albany, our first frost typically occurs in early October, so plan to overseed in late August to early September. <\/strong><\/p>
What type of grass seed should I use? <\/strong>To ensure evenness in color and texture, overseed your grass with the grass variety used in the rest of your lawn. For Albany homeowners, that usually means Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, or a blend of these grass types.<\/p>
Topdress your seeds with a quarter-inch layer of compost<\/a> and keep seeds moist as they germinate.<\/p>
7. Fertilize for strong growth<\/span><\/h2>
Want to give your grass a nutritious snack before it goes dormant for the winter? The perfect time to fertilize<\/a><\/strong> your Albany lawn is in September<\/strong>, when grass is growing and the soil is just beginning to cool off.<\/p>
If your lawn grows beautifully without fertilizer, stick to your lawn routine and skip the fertilizer. However, if your lawn needs a green boost, slow-release fertilizer<\/strong> will do the trick. <\/p>
The Albany County Cornell Cooperative Extension recommends spreading fertilizer zero to four times each year<\/strong>, depending on the foot traffic and use your lawn receives. <\/p>
- Do not water grass when there is snow cover, as this can cause grass suffocation and matting.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
- Avoid watering your grass when temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The air temperature may not be freezing, but frosty winds can cause a sheet of ice to form overnight and suffocate your grass<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Water deeply and infrequently (once or twice a week) to encourage deep root growth. Shallow, frequent waterings train grass roots to stay near the soil surface, which makes them weaker and less drought-resistant.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
- Post-emergent herbicide<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 2. Keep watering until the ground has frozen<\/a><\/li>