Fall Lawn Care Tips

Autumn is an excellent time to help ensure your lawn will look great next year.  A little time working in the fall will pay off in countless hours of enjoyment next spring and summer. Fertilizing and spreading new seed will give your lawn what it needs to look its best.

The first step you need to take is to determine what type of grass and soil you have in your yard. Once you know the type of grass and soil, you can purchase a suitable fertilizer so your lawn gets all the required nutrients for healthy growth.

Step 1: Choose Your Seed Mix
Fall is the best time to sow cool-season grasses -- preferably 2-4 weeks before the first frost. Fall months are also the best time to overseed your current lawn and patch bare spots. When overseeding, make sure you keep the ground damp and well watered. This ensures the seed receives the correct amount of water needed for healthy root growth. Mow the new grass when it reaches about 3" in height. There are a number of types of grass seed to choose from when seeding your lawn. Use our chart to help you select the correct seed for your yard usage.

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Fall Feeding Vital
Both cool and warm-season grasses greatly benefit from a final fall fertilizing. This will ensure your lawn will be able to stand up to the colder temperatures of the winter months. Fertilizers have an NPK rating with 3 numbers. N (nitrogen), which promotes lush green growth, P (phosphorus), which aids in root development and K (potassium), which helps your lawn resist disease. The final fertilizing of the year should be done with a product that contains a higher than normal amount of potassium. If moss is a problem, choose a fertilizer that adds iron, which aids in greening. Soil type plays a large role in the fertilizer you need for your lawn. If you have questions about which is best for your lawn, ask your local Fred Meyer Garden Center sales associate. Also, make sure to use the correct type of spreader when applying fertilizer to your lawn. Not only will it will help speed the fertilizing process, it will help prevent you from over fertilizing your lawn. For more on fall fertilizing, click into The Most Important Lawn Feeding Time of the Year.

Be Sure to Rake Up the Leaves
Raking leaves from your lawn is another way to help ensure a healthy lawn next year. Leaving leaves covering your lawn encourages disease by preventing sunlight and air from reaching the grass. Raking your lawn and other sections of your yard is an important fall task that is made much easier by having the right tools.

Final Mowing of the Season
When mowing your lawn for the final time of the season, lower your mower setting by 1-2 levels.  A closer cut will promote better air circulation, which helps prevent disease and matting during harsh winter weather.