Why the fall?
From a horticultural standpoint, it’s the best time to feed your lawn and make sure the nutrient levels are at their optimum growing conditions. It’s also the best time to do lawn renovation. So, if you’re doing some overseeding of those areas, the best time to get germination of new grass is in the fall as well. Here are the following reasons:
- Soil temperatures are relatively warm
- Air temperatures are beginning to cool down
- Typically, precipitation is better and more common in the fall
- It gives grass the opportunity to use the nutrients it’s stored to grow root systems better
- Increases cold hardiness
- Helps grass store energy reserves in the way of carbohydrates
Why fall fertilization is important
Fall fertilization is one of the most important aspects of good lawn health, but many customers may be tempted to opt out of it to save a little bit of cash.
This could end up costing more than it would have to do the initial fertilizing.
A good offense is better and usually less expensive than defense. Something is going to grow there, and we’d rather it be what we want, the desirable turf, than weeds. Once you have weeds, then you have to kill the weeds. We would rather play offense and create a healthy, good standing turf than to have to constantly be battling with herbicides and weed control.
Even though homeowners may think they can easily save money by skipping fertilizing this fall, it could cost them more to repair damage done by weeds than it would to start the season off strong.
We also recommend encouraging good cultural approaches to lawn care, such as establishing good mowing heights and frequencies, introducing new varieties of seed or turf, aerating, monitoring pH levels, optimizing nutrient levels and adding in organic materials from time to time. By putting these offensive strategies into action, Lawns will not only be healthy, but also look healthy.
Feeding your lawn is important, making sure your nutrient levels are optimal, fall is the best time to do that and you’re in a much better position, from a cost standpoint and from a health and appearance standpoint, to play offense instead of defense.