Mowing Your Lawn In The Fall: Tips For A Healthy Lawn
As the autumn season approaches, homeowners should take note of the natural signals that indicate when it is time to stop mowing their lawns. Mowing warm-season grasses should occur at temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, while cutting cool-season grasses should occur at temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep a healthy lawn, homeowners should adjust their mowing frequency based on the weather. When the weather is more like summer, homeowners should mow every six days, while temperatures are consistently dropping, they should mow every eight or nine days before stopping entirely. A healthy lawn requires a height of between 2 and 2.5 inches in order to keep it looking green in the winter. This is still long enough to fight disease and live in cold temperatures however, it is short enough to overcome disease. As you can see, the following tips will assist you in keeping your lawns healthy and vibrant through the fall and winter.
What Is A Cool Season Grass
Grass varieties that thrive in cold-weather areas include cool-season grasses. In areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, such as cold, freezing winters, and hot, dry summers, cool-season grasses have adapted to thrive.
The Benefits Of Kentucky Bluegrass For Lawns
Kentucky bluegrass, as one of the most difficult grasses to grow, is well-known for its toughness. Because of its durability and winter-hardiness, it is ideal for lawns across the country. A lush, dense appearance makes it an ideal addition to any property. It also has a self-suturing nature, which is ideal for lawns that are prone to maintenance. It is, however, critical to remember that mixing grass types is not always the best idea. However, it can be beneficial in some cases for hardy plants. One of the ways to make a lawn more resilient to weather fluctuations is to mix different varieties. It is also possible to reap the benefits of a variety of grass types on a property with a variety of conditions. It makes a good choice for cool-season grasses, but if you mix different varieties, Kentucky bluegrass could be even better.
Should You Fertilize Before Or After Cutting Lawn
When fertilizing a lawn, it is best to apply fertilizer after the lawn has been mowed so it has a few days to absorb the fertilizer. Wait until late summer, fall or early spring to fertilize the lawn. These are the optimal times to apply fertilizer. Mow the lawn and leave a small bit of grass clippings on the lawn.
Also Check: Which Riding Lawn Mower Brand Is Best
Also Check: What Is The Best Residential Zero Turn Lawn Mower
When Should You Fertilize St Augustine Grass In Texas
After the grass turns green in the early spring, fertilization should begin. During the most active growing season, the lawn should be fed and then backed off when the grass goes quiet. Texas, that means fertilization between April and October. The best time to fertilize your lawn is in late spring or early summer.
This is the time of year when most grasses are in their prime growth and most of the weeds are out of season. If you have a large lawn, you may have to back off a bit during this time. However, if you only have one or two acres of grass, this is not a problem.
In fact, it can be a good time for your grass to get a little bit of a break from being fertilized.
Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn
Spring means more daylight and warmer temperatures. After a cold winter, this is the weather your grass is craving. If youre unsure of exactly when to lay down your first feeding, you can base it off of the temperature. Ideally, the ground should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, March to April is the best time to fertilize your lawn. Its also best if your yard is watered a few days before you want to apply the fertilizer, whether thats from rain or a sprinkler.
Fertilizer provides your grass with extra nutrients that help to prevent crabgrass and allow it to grow green and thick. To ensure youre laying the feed correctly, start around the perimeter of your lawn. Then, you can start filling in the middle. Similar to mowing your yard, you should go back and forth in straight lines. And you should always use a lawn spreader instead of your hands to complete the job.
Now that you know that spring is the best time to fertilize your lawn, here are some other helpful tips that will keep your grass thriving.
Read Also: How Do You Seed Your Lawn
Prepare Soil And Seed
Proper soil preparation is key to growing a successful lawn. Although some of the seeds may germinate if you were to simply throw the seed onto your lawn, you will not see great results without preparing your soil.
First, vigorously rake the areas that will be seeded to loosen the soil. Alternatively, rent a power rake or slit seeding machine for the best results. If needed, level the ground. Next, apply the seed with a spreader to ensure even coverage. Be sure not to bury newly planted grass seed more than ¼ inch in depth. Once seed is applied, turn your rake over and gently swish it back and forth to barely cover the seed. Seed to soil contact is very important and enhances germination.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold Off Lawn Chairs
Mulch Your Grass Clippings
If youre tired of bagging grass while you mow, weve got good news. To help your lawn stay greener year-round, you can leave the grass clippings on your lawn. When grass clippings break down, they provide your lawn with beneficial nutrients. While you dont need to buy a new mower blade, it doesnt hurt to install a mulching blade so that the grass is cut into smaller pieces. Learn more about recycling grass clippings here.
Recommended Reading: How To Fix Over Fertilized Lawn
How To Choose The Right Fertilizer
The chemical ratios can very in amount depending on your circumstances for fertilizing but there is an easy method to determine which bag of fertilizer is best for your lawn. By checking fertilizer bags or packaging you will find three numbers prominently listed. These numbers tell you how much of each chemical are in the bag. The first number is the amount of nitrogen, the second is phosphorous, and the last number represents potassium. To know how much of each is in the bag, multiply the percentage by the size of the bag. Be sure to read the fertilizer bag to ensure youre using a suitable amount of each chemical for the needs of your lawn.
The Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn
Fall is a great time to fertilize the lawn. Lawns are hungry now and they will develop most of their root systems during this season.
Labor Day is a good time to fertilize lawns. Lawns are actively growing and this fertilizer promotes vigorous blade growth and stronger root systems.
A soil test is recommended to determine exactly what fertilizer your lawn needs. In most cases, a winterizer fertilizer is recommended. Formulations vary, but most winterizer fertilizers are approximately 25-3-10 . Winterizer fertilizers provide a little extra potash compared to summer fertilizers. This boost of potash promotes winter hardiness.
Fertilizers with slow-release nitrogen are valuable since they provide a consistent release of nitrogen to the growing plants. They are more expensive, however.
Follow the rates on the fertilizer package. A standard rate is 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. For reference, one pound of actual nitrogen is in four pounds of a 25% nitrogen fertilizer . Excess nitrogen can burn the turf.
Reduced rates can be used in shady spots. They grow more slowly and only need about half as much fertilizer as sunny spots.
To prevent creating dark green stripes in your yard, apply half the fertilizer going back and forth in one direction and the other half going perpendicular to that. For example, apply half going north-south and the other half going east-west.
Student Focused. Land Grant. Research Institution.
You May Like: Where Are John Deere Lawn Tractors Made
Rotary Spreader With Fertilizer
Tip: Before filling the hopper of a rotary spreader, make sure its closed. Also, consider filling the hopper over a tarp so you can easily gather any spilled fertilizer.
©Scripps Networks, LLC
Scripps Networks, LLC
Tip: Before filling the hopper of a rotary spreader, make sure its closed. Also, consider filling the hopper over a tarp so you can easily gather any spilled fertilizer.
Nitrogen is every lawn’s most important ingredient, and each type of grass demands different amounts to display peak growth and performance. How often you fertilize affects not only lawn appearance, but also maintenance level. The more you fertilize, the more you’ll have to mow, for instance.
More: How to Choose the Right Fertilizer
How Late In The Year Can I Fertilize My Lawn
4.7/5lawn fertilizerfertilizelawn fertilizer
Similarly one may ask, is it too late in the year to fertilize my lawn?
Generally, you need to feed warm-season grasses from late spring to early fall. If you feed too early in spring the nitrogen likely promotes rapid growth of cool-season weeds. If you fertilize too late in fall, the grass is likely to be less hardy as it enters cold weather and more susceptible to winter injury.
Likewise, is it too early to fertilize my lawn? Although spring fertilization is recommended as part of a complete lawn care program, applying it too early can throw off the whole program. When cool-season grasses wake up in the spring, they enter a natural growth cycle when the root system begins growing and building carbohydrate reserves.
Also, how late can I apply winter fertilizer?
Winter fertilizers are usually applied in late October or early November to cool-season lawns. To take full advantage of the effects of winterizer fertilizer, you should also apply fertilizer to your lawn in early September. The early fall feeding stimulates root growth.
What is the best lawn fertilizer for early spring?
Miracle Gro All Purpose Lawn Food Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food Safer Brand 9333 Ringer Lawn Fertilizer Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
Recommended Reading: What Kills Violets
You May Like: Does Walmart Have Riding Lawn Mowers
When To Fertilize Lawn In North Texas Clearly Explained
The best time to fertilize the lawn is early to mid-september. You dont want to wait too long as it can cause your lawn to become overgrown. Fertilize in the fall with a mixture of 2 parts water and 1 part fertilizer. If you have a lawn mower, you can use it to spread the fertilizer over the grass.
Its best to use a fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content, such as 2-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. This will help to prevent weeds from growing and will also help the soil to retain moisture. The fertilizer can also be spread by hand or by using a sprayer.
Remember The Growth Cycles Of Your Lawn
A great rule to remember is that fertilization is most effective when applied during your grasss active growth phase. When that period occurs depends on what type of grass you have and your region and climate.
If you live in northern states, you probably have a cool-season grass. Meanwhile, warm-season grasses do best in southern regions.
Dont Miss: How To Make Lines When Cutting Grass
Also Check: How To Care For New Sod Lawn
Combinations Of Cool And Warm
Homeowners in transitional zones that have wide temperature swings throughout the season may have grass that is a combination of cool-season and warm-season grass types.
If this is the case for you, you will have to do different kinds of care at different times of the year, and your lawn care schedule may be more complex and challenging.
Different grass mixtures have different peak growth seasons. Youll need to find out what your grasss peak season is depending on your seed mixture.
Recommended Reading: How To Fix Burnt Lawn
Diy Products Are Often Subpar
The products that you could buy at the store for fertilizing your lawn in fall or early winter are subpar to the commercial-grade products that a professional has access to. When it comes to such a valuable service, wouldnt you rather just get your lawn off on the best foot possible? Yes, you are starting the season later than others. But getting in that last professional round of fertilization with a professional and then transitioning right into their spring program makes a lot more sense than trying to save a few bucks with poor quality products that probably arent going to do much good for your lawn.
The same goes for limestone products. Contrary to what you may think, not all lime is created equal. Its important that you choose the right limestone product in order to get the best results. But chances are, you might have no idea what product is best for your lawn.
Don’t Miss: How To Fix Clay Soil Lawn
Is It Too Late To Fertilize My Lawn In November
thethe fertilizeryour lawnthelatefertilizationlawns
Applying fertilizer too late can leave the grass less able to combat cold weather, and feeding it too early can cause the rapid growth of cool-season weeds a nightmare for a warm-season lawn.
Beside above, is it too late to put down winter fertilizer? Beware: fertilizing too late or too early can actually do harm to your lawn. By fertilizing to early, you are making your lawn more vulnerable to insect outbreaks.
Likewise, can I put fertilizer down in November?
When to FertilizeAlthough the exact timing can vary due to weather conditions and climate zone, the final fertilizer application should be made sometime in in most regions, at the point when the grass has stopped growing or has slowed down to the point of not needing to be mowed.
When should you fertilize lawn?
The best time to fertilize your lawn is in the spring, when the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Youâll know when the soil warms up to 55 because the lilacs begin to blossom and the grass starts growing. For most parts of the country, that means the first feeding should take place by about mid-April.
Request Lawn Fertilizer Services Today
Do you still have questions about the best lawn fertilizers in Michigan? Get in touch with our experts at Design One! Serving Michigan for over 30 years, we provide commercial and residential landscaping solutions, including custom landscape design and hardscape installations.
Our team can help you understand when and how to apply fertilizer, as well as provide professional recommendations on the best type of fertilizer for your lawn. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Also Check: Should I Get Rid Of Clover In My Lawn
Lawn Fertilization: When Is The Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn
Do you want to know the best time to fertilize your lawn? Keeping up with your lawn care responsibilities is essential to keeping your lawn at its best.
The type of care you give your lawn depends on a variety of factors. Knowing what season your grass uses certain nutrients allows you to plan accordingly.
With care and proper lawn fertilization, your lawn can thrive each season. If youre wondering when to fertilize your lawn, youve come to the right place. This guide will help you make the right choices for your grass.
Time To Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizer Spreader
In mid-April its time to do two things pay taxes and fertilize your lawn. If youve already taken care of the taxes, now you should decide whether or not to fertilize your lawn.
In many situations, fertilizing your lawn is optional. If your lawn generally has been healthy and attractive over the years, you may choose to leave well enough alone.
Thats not to say applying fertilizer wouldnt make a difference. I once convinced my dad to fertilize his front lawn by explaining that the grass would be darker green and grow better. A couple of months later he informed me that I had been right, but he swore hed never let me fertilize his lawn again. The front yard was undeniably greener, but he had to mow it almost twice as often as the unfertilized backyard.
Lawns that definitely should be considered for fertilization are those that have sustained some damage in the past, which needs to be filled in by new growth. You also should consider fertilizing lawns that are thin or are poor in vigor and those where you desire a high degree of quality.
If fertilizer is applied during that time, it can stimulate the grass to put its efforts into early leafy growth when needs to be growing roots. That means early fertilization can lead to the grass going into the summer season with a less developed root system.
Remember that fertilizing turfgrass is something we do to increase the quality of our lawns and is not a matter of life and death.
Also Check: How To Make Lawn Grow Faster
How Soon You Can Fertilize After Seeding Your Lawn
Its not always after seeding that you should apply fertilizerthe best time to fertilize is right before or during the seeding process. Use a starter fertilizer with quick-release nitrogen since that will give the seeds a nutritional boost. When you make fertilizer a part of the seeding process, your grass will grow quicker and is more likely to end up healthy and lush.
Be Wary Of Fertilizer Application Rates
Across the board, most fertilizer manufacturers are overzealous about their recommended dose and feeding schedule. Start light with half the recommended amount and rate of fertilizer. You can reapply if you donât like the results. Over a season or two, youâll get a clear sense of how much it takes to get a healthy lawn.
A healthy lawn will be a relatively light shade of bright green. A lawn that is a deep, almost blackish green, has been very heavily fertilized. The dark green color comes from a lot of nitrogen-based fertilizer used on the lawn. It is highly likely that some of that fertilizer has run off into the streets, storm sewers, and has made its way into local streams and rivers.
Don’t Miss: Who Sells Scotts Riding Lawn Mowers
