After a protracted and hot summer your lawn may be showing its wear. You are no doubt asking yourself what is required to see the grass through to the colder months in good health, and to have it thick and green come spring.
For more than 25 years Princeton Turf Care has put lawns in great order for homeowners in Lawrence Township, NJ. Should you require a professional to put his hand to your fall lawn care or if you have any questions, we are at (702)-996-4345. We are fully licensed and insured and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our work.
There is no season of greater consequence for lawn care in New Jersey than the fall. With the cooler weather and consistent moisture the roots can put down some good growth. In a way what you do now will determine the appearance of your lawn in the year ahead. Allow us to outline the most pertinent steps.
Why Fall Care is Important in New Jersey
The cool-season grasses that comprise most New Jersey lawns do well once the temperature breaks. They will have been in something of a survival mode during the summer heat, perhaps looking brown or sparse. The fall is their opportunity to put that behind them.
With the ground still holding some of the summer’s warmth but the air cooling off, top growth will decelerate while the roots continue to put in work. An ideal time to fortify the lawn before winter.
Adjust Your Mowing Height, But Do Not Stop
It is common for homeowners to put the mower away too soon in the fall. Yet the grass will grow up to the first hard frost so you need to mow as the situation demands.
Over the course of the season you should be lowering the mowing height to stave off disease from matting under the snow. A few things to bear in mind:
- A sharp blade on the mower will make for a better cut
- One third of the blade is the most you should ever take off
- Make the last couple of mows a bit lower
- Wait for the grass to be dry so you do not get clumps
- Put in one short mow to finish off before winter
Rake Up the Leaves
All the leaves coming down in the fall are part of the beauty of New Jersey, but left to it they will smother your lawn. Wet leaves in any quantity will hold moisture and keep the sun out, an invitation to mold and other ailments.
If the layer is not too much you can mulch them with the mower and put some nutrients back in the soil, otherwise you must rake. Just do not let a heavy covering of leaves remain on the grass.
Aerate and Overseed
Most lawns stand to gain from aeration after a dry summer and all the foot traffic; it opens up compacted soil for the roots to get at water and nutrients. Then overseed to put in some fill where the lawn is thin. The seed will make the most of the moist, cool environment and you can expect a fuller lawn by spring.
Put Some Feed in the Ground Before Winter
Your grass requires nutrients to develop robust roots, and the energy from a fall feeding will be there to bring the lawn back in a hurry when it gets warm again. There is some guesswork involved in picking the right product for your soil and grass type, which is where we can be of service.
Do Not Neglect Watering Until the Freeze
Even in the cooler fall weather a lawn needs its moisture, new seed in particular. Watch the rainfall and put a drink on the lawn if it is dry, until the ground starts to freeze.
Leave it to the Pros
To aerate, seed and feed properly takes know-how and a free weekend that some do not have. And a minor error in technique or timing can nullify your efforts.
We are here for that. Our 4.9 star rating on over 40 Google reviews is testament to the trust our customers in Lawrence Township place in us. Princeton Turf Care is open 7:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Call us at (702)-996-4345 for a no cost estimate and let us see to your lawn this fall. We are licensed and insured and will back our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Let us make sure you have the finest lawn on the block when next spring comes around.
