Indian Summer and Your Lawn

“Indian summer” is that lovely little pocket of time in the fall when the weather takes a warmer turn for a brief period before officially cooling down for winter. Indian summers can be a balmy relief from chapped lips and cold winds, providing a great window to get back out into your yard and do some final outdoor projects. Take advantage of this time to care for your soil and grass, preparing it for winter, and allowing it to thrive when spring finally comes.

• Fertilize. Fall is the best time to fertilize your yard. Root systems need nutrients to get through the cold winter months. In fact, did you know that despite the slow growth of your grass in the wintertime, root systems are actually developing and expanding over the colder months? Fertilize when the ground is not too wet and before the ground freezes. Wait until you are done mowing or until your mowing is so infrequent that it will not disrupt the newly fertilized grass. To avoid having green zebra stripes in your grass, apply fertilizer in a grid pattern, making lines north-to-south and east-to-west, evenly distributing nutrients all over. To use the best fertilizer, you should test your soil first to see what nutrients it could most benefit from.

1. 1. Lime. Another way to encourage and support a luscious, green lawn is to balance your soil’s pH through the process of liming. A perfectly balanced pH (neutral) is at a 7. If you have patchy areas in your grass or if your lawn tends to discolor easily, it may be a sign that your pH levels are too low (acidic) or too high (alkaline). You can test your soil to find out what level it checks in at. If your levels are low, liming can rebalance the soil, and return your grass to that “Better Homes and Garden” green everyone aspires to. Lime also has calcium and other nutrients in it to to nourish your soil and counteract negative soil factors.To find out the best kinds of lime to use on your soil or to receive a complimentary pH test, contact us at Heffner to get your levels rebalanced and your grass lush and green for spring.
   2. Aerate. Soil can become compacted due to a variety of factors. Over time it can naturally compress, foot traffic can exacerbate the process, and heavy rains or dry spells can compact soil further, keeping root systems shallow and not allowing enough air or water down into the dirt. Deeper root systems with access to air, water, and nutrients result in healthier grasses and greener lawns. Late fall is a great time to aerate your lawn, puncturing small holes in the soil, loosening it up, and allowing for hydration and air to get down into the dirt.

• Overseed. Overseeding is laying seed on your lawn without tearing up existing dirt or grass. Overseeding is another way to make your lawn as healthy as possible, filling in bare spots and improving the color and feel of your grass. Prep your yard for overseeding by aerating, mowing, bagging up clippings, and raking up debris. With as few obstructions as possible, the seed can get down into the soil easily. By aerating first, the ground will be especially receptive to seed, and along with the seed, nutrients, air, and water will be able to reach the root systems to ensure the best results.

We can complete and and all of these tasks for you this fall to get your yard ready for winter so it grow its best in the spring. Call or email us for a consultation and we will get you on your way to the healthiest lawn you ever had!