Preparing Your Lawn for the Fall

The summer of 2011 proved to be a real challenge for many homeowners as they tried, sometimes in vain, to keep their lawns looking good. Summer conditions in general tend to be tough on lawns, but conditions this summer were especially difficult due to above average temperatures and extended drought conditions in Texas and Oklahoma.

Grass is a remarkable plant; most warm season grasses are adapted to low moisture levels and excessive heat.  Bermuda and Zoysia can go an entire summer without water.  St. Augustine and Centipede can survive for three to four months without water. 

“Some of the small damaged areas may fill in this fall, but now is the time for warm season grasses to begin preparation to survive the winter dormancy period. Root growth and carbohydrate storage increases as top growth slows down along with the ability to fill in any holes from summer damage,” says Lenny Geibel, owner of Spring-Green Lawn Care in Lawrenceville. “Fall is also the time to control annual grasses and fall germinating winter weeds.” Here are some tips from Geibel on the best way to prepare your lawn for winter dormancy:

• Potassium: Although your lawn requires less nitrogen in the fall months than it did in the summer, fertilization is still very important. While you are decreasing the amount of nitrogen, you should be increasing the amount of potassium because this reversal will help keep the tops of the turf plant green and healthy while developing a stronger root system that’s better able to cope with drought, winter dormancy and next spring’s green-up. 

• Preemergent: As your lawn nears its dormant period, weed control is more important than ever. The lower temperatures are perfect for grassy weeds like Poa Annua and broadleaved varieties that thrive in the winter. Keeping your lawn free of these weeds early in the fall will keep it cleaner through winter and into the spring. Warm season turf will benefit from pre-emergent products that will help form a barrier to the grassy weeds that would otherwise be able to out compete your dormant turf. Broadleaf varieties should be hand pulled or controlled with selective broadleaf herbicides. 

• Water, Water Everywhere: Continue watering your lawn as it approaches dormancy. Although it may appear that not much is happening, it is busy building new root structures and storing carbohydrates for use during dormancy and next spring. Once the lawn has entered dormancy, regular winter rain all should carry you through until next spring.

• Lower The Height Of Your Mower: Your lawn should enter winter without any young, tender growth that could make it more appealing to winter diseases. So as late fall approaches, bring the cutting height down on your mower a notch or two.

For more information about Spring-Green Lawn Care and its services, contact Lenny Geibel at 678-376-5777, via e-mail at lgeibel@spring-green.net or visit www.spring-green.com/lgeibel.