Fall turf care

Lawns help cool our environment and make our backyards more enjoyable in the warm months. Through spring and summer—especially this year—they can be the focus of our outdoor activities. As we head into fall, take some time to change up your lawncare routine to help it continue to serve you well next year.
Here are some things to consider for fall lawn maintenance:

• Reduce weekly maintenance. Cut down on watering and mow less frequently. Cooler nights combined with fewer hours of daylight slow lawn growth considerably and make it less thirsty.
• Consider aeration. Talk with your landscape professional about whether fall aeration is right for your turfgrass.
• Work on the weeds. What you do now to fight the weed battle will pay off next season with fewer weeds at startup. Remember, weed control applies not only to the lawn, but also to bed areas.
• Edge the lawn with the final mowing. It's not time yet, but when you mow the last time of the season, make that the time you also edge the lawn. That edging will provide a neat, clean appearance that lasts throughout the winter.
• Schedule irrigation system winterization. Better to winterize early—you might need to hand water once or twice—than to have your lawn dug up next spring to repair broken pipes!

Proper watering and consistent cultural practices like weeding and aeration go a long way to reduce turf weeds and disease. These preventive measures can reduce the need for pesticides, herbicides and other treatments for your lawn because healthy plants will be more insect and disease resistant.