As summer wanes, Minnesota weather takes a turn and this is no time to slack on lawn care. By putting in the work now, you’ll have an easier time later. August through September can pack a variety of temperatures and weather conditions. It could be scorching hot one day or a chilly 50 degrees another. Conditions may be dry or rainy, and whether tomorrow’s forecast calls for rain or sunshine, there are lawn care tasks that need to be completed before the calendar flips to October.
Follow the checklist below for best practices to prepare your lawn for fall.
How To Prepare Your Lawn for Fall
Do the following in August and September, weather permitting.
1. Apply Fertilizer
A little fertilization at the end of summer or the start of fall goes a long way for the next growing season. During this time of year, the grass is low on nitrogen – an important nutrient it needs to survive. Lawns that lack nitrogen may also be missing other two vital nutrients, phosphorus and potassium. Fertilizing your lawn supplies these essential elements, and if you do it with organic materials, a secondary set of nutrients for the grass.
Because cool season grasses will grow at a faster rate during the upcoming months, fertilizing within the next few weeks is essential. Your lawn will go dormant with or without fertilization this year – but by feeding it, you can ensure a lush, vibrant yard come springtime.
2. Aerate Your Lawn
Over time, your soil compacts leaving grass roots little to no room to grow, which is harmful to the microbial life that’s essential to the health of your turf. Due to the harshness of the Upper Midwest climate, Minnesota lawns need to be aerated, pulling soil cores from the ground to redistribute soil cores throughout the lawn, as the soil cores decompose to combat thatch.
Green Stuff Lawn offers core aeration to homeowners throughout the Minneapolis area, creating new pathways for water and nutrients to positively impact your yard.
3. Check for Thatch
Thatch, a thin fiber-like substance, can be found between growing grass and the soil underneath. It is light brown in color, and contrary to popular belief, not always a problem. Thatch might look inactive at first glance, but it is actually full of microorganisms that are beneficial for healthy plant growth. These organisms make their home in the decaying parts of the grass and create the interwoven mat you can see when you look closely.
If the thatch is less than half an inch thick, you have nothing to worry about. If the layer is any thicker than that, use a dethatching mower to remove excessive materials that smother the grass.
4. Overseed Liberally
Your lawn may have formed patches of dead grass over the summer, but there’s still hope for a perfect lawn next season. If you need to sow new grass, mid-August to mid-September is the best time to do it in Minnesota.
When overseeding, you should lightly work the seed into the soil. After applying the seed (read the packaging instructions carefully to determine the amount), loosely rake in the area and top-dress with mulch or compost. Overseeding works best when your lawn isn’t too compact, so it might be necessary to aerate the lawn before starting this step. Be sure to keep the sprouting seeds damp – they need a small amount of water at all times.
5. Keep Up With Fall Leaves
In September, as leaves start falling slowly, mow your lawn instead of raking it. Crushed leaves are great for compost, which you will need plenty of to feed your lawn before winter comes. However, as your lawn becomes more of a leaf “resting place” than an emerald dream, raking is the better option.
When your lawn is wet, avoid staying on the turf. Walking across wet grass compacts the soil, hindering root growth and undoing all your hard effort from aerating.
6. Spot Spray Dandelions and Perennial Weeds
Striking against these weeds now will be more beneficial than waiting until fall. As the weather cools, plants send nutrients from leaves to their roots, giving weeds a better chance of lasting through the winter. By fighting weeds early, you won’t have to worry about them resurging after winter.
7. If Applicable, Chop Firewood
Chopping firewood now will not only help you clean up part of your yard, it will also give the wood an adequate amount of time to cure. Don’t get caught on a cold day with wet firewood.
While dealing with firewood, burn any remaining garden debris so it won’t become infested with bugs
Simplify Your Minnesota Lawn Care
By following the pre-fall lawn care tips outlined above, Minnesota autumn and winters become a little easier with regard to yard work and you’ll be better set up for success come spring. Should you find yourself needing some expertise or short on time, our experts are happy to step in and help. Contact us today for your free quote.