- 1.\u00a0Rake to remove heavy leaves<\/a><\/li>
- 2.\u00a0Dethatch to remove the spongy layer<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Aerate to reduce compaction<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Overseed to fill bare patches<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Stop mowing when the grass stops growing\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Fertilize to help growth<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Winterize your irrigation system<\/a><\/li>
- 8.\u00a0 Clean your lawn care equipment<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Prune trees and bushes<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Get rid of gutter glut<\/a><\/li>
- Fall back to football<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Rake to remove heavy leaves<\/span><\/h2>
Those golden and burgundy leaves paint a marvelous palette in the sky. However, once they\u2019ve fallen, your lawn screams \u201crake me.\u201d Not only will your lawn look more orderly, but mounds of dumped grass block sunlight and lock in moisture that will fester disease and decay. <\/p>
Rake at least every three days, especially if deciduous trees grace your lawn. While they display gorgeous colors in the fall, their foliage quickly blankets your grass.<\/p>
Depending on the size of your yard and the number of trees, a leaf blower is an efficient alternative to a rake. Gas leaf blowers rate first in power, but battery-operated and corded electric ones create less noise and come with less maintenance. <\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>No matter what make or model leaf blower, keep in mind the weight. You don\u2019t want to be bogged down and not be able to handle the machine after 15 minutes or so. <\/p>
What to do with those piles of raked leaves?<\/strong> Start a compost pile<\/a> as leaves are rich in carbon, an essential nutrient for photosynthesis and your lawn\u2019s success. Maybe you can bargain with the neighborhood children to have a jump or two in the pile in exchange for a shovel full of leaves for your new compost pile.<\/p>
2. Dethatch <\/strong>to remove the spongy layer<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> That layer of dead stems, leaves, and roots settled on your soil beneath the grass is thatch. Depending on the amount, thatch can either be beneficial or detrimental to your grass. If your lawn has a thatch buildup more than half-inch thick, it\u2019s detrimental to healthy growth. Left to fester, the thatch breeds diseases that will lead to grass decay. Also, a heavier layer of thatch stymies the flow of air, water, and fertilizer, all necessary ingredients for your lawn.<\/p>
If less than a half-inch, the thatch protects against soil temperature fluctuations, captures water efficiently, and actually serves as mulch. <\/p>
You\u2019ll be able to distinguish the difference between \u201cgood\u201d thatch and \u201cbad\u201d thatch by its texture. If you cut off the top layer of a section in your lawn and it\u2019s spongy, you\u2019ll need to dethatch.<\/p>
When is the best time to dethatch? <\/strong>Dethatch your cool-season grass in early fall during its active growing season and when the soil is moist. <\/p>
Methods to dethatch<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>
- For small areas, use a manual rake\u00a0<\/li>
- For larger areas, use a power rake or dethatching machine<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Aerate to reduce compaction<\/span><\/h2>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\")
<\/figure> Aeration<\/a> is a process of punching small holes in the grass to allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. This process not only allows necessary ingredients to penetrate the soil but also aids in root regeneration.<\/p>
You should consider aeration<\/strong> if you have:<\/p>
- Heavy foot traffic on the lawn<\/li>
- Vehicles or heavy equipment on your lawn<\/li>
- Heavy, clay soil<\/li>
- Compacted soil<\/li> <\/ul>
Fall is the preferred season for aeration because your cool-season lawn is actively growing. Early spring is your next best option. <\/p>
Depending on the size of your yard, aeration can be done by hand<\/a> with a garden fork or a core aerator. You can rent small, walk-behind core aerators from your local garden equipment retailer or nursery. If you decide the job is more than you want to tackle, call in a professional aeration service. <\/a><\/p>
4. Overseed to fill bare patches<\/span><\/h2>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_overseeding_map.png\")
<\/figure> Do you have ugly bare spots on your lawn? Consider overseeding.<\/p>
What is overseeding? <\/strong>Overseeding is spreading grass seed over your existing lawn to cover bare spots caused by pests, diseases, foot traffic, and summer stress. It prepares your lawn to be full, thick, and healthy in spring.<\/p>
It\u2019s often said, \u201cTiming is everything,\u201d and in Syracuse, the best time to plant grass seed is in early fall. Here\u2019s why: With mild temperatures during the day and cool temps at night, it provides an excellent environment for grass seed germination<\/a>. <\/p>
For Syracuse lawns, it can take a few weeks to a few months for new grass to germinate<\/a>: <\/p>
- Kentucky bluegrass: 30-60 days<\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass: 12-21 days<\/li>
- Tall fescue: 21-30 days<\/li>
- Fine fescue: 21-50 days<\/li> <\/ul>
Steps to overseed:<\/strong><\/p>
- Mow to about 1 \u00bd inches to 2 inches<\/li>
- Dethatch<\/li>
- Aerate<\/li>
- Apply compost<\/li>
- Fertilize, if necessary<\/li>
- Spread the seed<\/li>
- Water daily\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Stop mowing when the grass stops growing <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>
With the cooler fall weather, grass growth will eventually slow down. You know you can stop mowing when your grass stops growing. For the last mow of the season, it\u2019s advisable to leave cool-season grass a bit longer as a deterrent to disease. As the temperatures drop, mow shorter until, eventually, the lawn will hibernate.<\/p>
Recommended heights for cool-season grasses in the fall:<\/strong><\/p>
- Kentucky bluegrass 2 inches<\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass 2 inches<\/li>
- Fine fescue 2-2.5 inches<\/li>
- Tall fescue 2.5 inches<\/li> <\/ul>
Always <\/strong>adhere to the one-third rule<\/strong>. Do not mow more than one-third of the grass length in one mowing. The theory behind this tip pertains to sunlight absorption. If more than one-third of the grass blade is mowed, less area remains for sunlight to penetrate. Also, a deeper cut might weaken and inhibit root growth. <\/p>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_1lawnlove-one-third-rule-illustration.png\")
<\/figure> 6. Fertilize to help growth<\/span><\/h2>
Proper fertilization will result in a lush, healthy spring lawn. Apply fertilizer in October<\/a> or early November before the grass begins to discolor as a reaction to the cold air.<\/p>
Before fertilizing, conduct a soil test to check the nutrient levels. If your soil is deficient in nutrients like potassium, you can apply the proper fertilizer to accommodate the depletion. <\/p>
Steps for a soil test:<\/strong> <\/p>
- Use a garden spade or small shovel<\/li>
- Dig into the soil approximately 6 inches<\/li>
- Collect about 20 samples from different areas around your yard<\/li>
- Place in plastic container<\/li>
- Do not collect wet soil<\/li> <\/ul>
An at-home soil test kit can be purchased from your local extension office or a nursery retailer. However, you also can send the sample<\/a> to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office.<\/p>
Once you get the results, you will know better which fertilizer to apply. <\/p>
What is N-P-K? <\/strong>N-P-K refers to the fertilizer\u2019s ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (the three most essential soil nutrients). For example, a fertilizer with a ratio of 26-0-12 contains 26% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 12% potassium. <\/p>
What\u2019s the best N-P-K ratio for my lawn?<\/strong> Your soil test will tell you the ratio of nutrients your lawn needs, so you can choose a fertilizer that addresses your lawn\u2019s nutrient deficiencies.<\/p>
7. Winterize your irrigation system<\/span><\/h2>
As the weather turns cooler, winterize your sprinkler system<\/a> by adjusting the water flow or shutting it down. <\/p>
It\u2019s important to shut down the system completely if the temperature drops below freezing. The excess water left in the system can cause cracked pipes and\/or sprinkler heads. <\/p>
There are three methods to winterize your irrigation system: manual drain, automatic drain, and the blowout method.<\/strong> Which method is right for you? That depends on your irrigation system and how it operates. <\/p>
Automatic drain:<\/strong><\/p>
- Shut down your system.<\/li>
- Drain the system of all water.<\/li>
- Completely turn off the entire system.<\/li> <\/ul>
Manual drain:<\/strong><\/p>
- Shut down the water supply to your system.<\/li>
- Set the backflow preventer to 45 degrees.<\/li>
- Drain backflow lines.<\/li>
- Utilizing the faucet close to the backflow, drain again.<\/li>
- Drain water from the manual drain in the\u00a0 manifold and keep it open during the winter.<\/li>
- Go back to the main water supply and turn on the faucet to drain the water.<\/li> <\/ul>
Blow out\/compressed air: <\/strong><\/p>
- Proceed with caution.<\/li>
- Turn off water.<\/li>
- Check compression tolerance according to the manufacturer’s manual.<\/li>
- Shut off backflow preventer.<\/li>
- Take off the cap to the blowout line.<\/li>
- Connect the air hose.<\/li>
- Activate the zone the furthest distance from the compressor.<\/li>
- Start the compressor for a certain period of time and then turn off.<\/li>
- Set ball valves and test cocks to 45 degrees.<\/li>
- Open drain at the valve box and drain.<\/li>
- Disengage the entire system.<\/li> <\/ul>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>It\u2019s best to hire a professional to perform the blow-out method. <\/p>
8. Clean your lawn care equipment<\/span><\/h2>
All reusable gardening equipment should be thoroughly cleaned, oiled, and sanitized to remove all soil before storage. Apply a bleach solution and then air dry.<\/p>
If you use a riding mower, it also needs to be prepped before hibernation. Remove the spark plugs and blow in some aerosol fogging spray. To winterize your lawn mower<\/a>, connect the battery to a charger or, if it runs on gas, you should run the engine until the tank is emptied.<\/p>
For gas and battery-powered mowers:<\/strong><\/p>
- Clean off any debris, including grass clippings<\/li>
- Completely wipe down the mower (moisture can result in corrosion)<\/li>
- Disconnect spark plug and drain the gas on gas model; remove battery on battery-powered mower<\/li>
- No matter what model or type, store mower in a dry place such as a garage or shed<\/li> <\/ul>
For leaf blowers:<\/strong><\/p>
- Clean or replace the filter<\/li>
- Replace\/disconnect spark plug<\/li>
- Drain excess fuel<\/li>
- Clean carburetor<\/li>
- Inspect straps for wear<\/li>
- Check hose for cracks<\/li>
- If there\u2019s a bag, empty it<\/li> <\/ul>
For weed eaters:<\/strong><\/p>
- Wipe down the entire length of the weed eater with a rag and soapy water<\/li>
- Remove and clean the air filter<\/li>
- Replace\/disconnect spark plug<\/li>
- Drain excess fuel<\/li>
- Clean carburetor<\/li>
- Store it in a ventilated area off the ground<\/li> <\/ul>
The one basic maintenance rule for all \u2014 keep it clean!<\/p>
These are just some basic maintenance tips. It\u2019s best to thoroughly read and follow your manual\u2019s instructions. <\/p>
9. Prune trees and bushes<\/span><\/h2>
Survey your garden to inspect for any branches when overloaded with snow or ice, that could result in damage to a car in the driveway, the house, or any other structure. These trees and bushes need to be trimmed<\/a> immediately! <\/p>
If you are overwhelmed by this task, contact a local professional tree trimming service<\/a>. <\/p>
Coniferous evergreens \u2014 such as juniper, fir, and spruce \u2014 should be pruned in late fall. <\/p>
By mid-September, before the frost sets in, perennial beds and borders should be pruned and reworked. If it appears the flowers are crowded together, divide plants and replant in another area. Refresh the garden for spring and remove any leggy or dead flowers. <\/p>
10. Get rid of gutter glut<\/span><\/h2>
It\u2019s a dirty job but someone must do it otherwise those gutters and spouts could back up with frozen snow. Your gutters need to be thoroughly cleaned and flushed before the first snowfall. Gutter fasteners also might need to be repaired or replaced.<\/p>
While the glut must go, this can be a dangerous task for a homeowner. Balancing on a tall ladder wielding a gushing hose could result in an injury.<\/p>
If you decide to tackle the job yourself, start with a sturdy ladder, a gutter scoop, and a tarp. After you\u2019ve manually removed the debris, then it\u2019s time to flush gutters and downspouts. <\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Recruit a neighbor to assist with steadying the ladder. Also, with help from an assistant, it will reduce the number of times you\u2019ll need to go up and down the ladder. He\/she will be able to hand you the necessary tools and\/or hose.<\/p>
If your gut is telling you it\u2019s not a good idea for you to tackle this task, then it\u2019s time to call in a professional gutter cleaning crew<\/a>. <\/p>
Fall back to football<\/span><\/h2>
Now that you\u2019ve completed your fall lawn care checklist, you can watch or play football, carve a pumpkin, enjoy a hayride, visit a museum, or enjoy Armory Square.<\/p>
Keep in mind, if you require assistance, do not have the proper equipment, or are just overwhelmed, call your local lawn care professionals<\/a>.<\/p>
- 2.\u00a0Dethatch to remove the spongy layer<\/a><\/li>