Fall is in the air, and with it, the promise of cooler temperatures and cozy evenings spent mostly indoors. But that doesn’t mean you should let your lawn care habits slide. In fact, autumn is perhaps the most important season to ensure that both your front lawn and backyard remain healthy, beautiful, and properly cared for.
Some 83% of Americans believe that having a yard is important, and of those, 90% also think it’s important to keep that yard well maintained. The reasons are as much financial as they are practical: landscaping can increase your home’s resale value by 14%, and an investment in lawn beautification equal to 5% of your home’s value could garner an ROI of 150%.
Of course, personal satisfaction is just as important as curb appeal, especially if you aren’t planning to move anytime soon. Follow these lawn care steps now for a great-looking yard next spring.
- Lower Your Lawn Mower
You should continue to mow your lawn throughout fall, even though grass tends to grow more slowly in the cooler weather. Gradually lower the deck on your lawn mower so that by the end of the season the grass is cut as short as possible. This will prevent against matting under leaves or snow, while also allowing more sunlight to penetrate the crown while it still can. - Rake Your Leaves
Rake as often as possible. Any rain or dew that collects on leaves can form a wet, soggy mess that might foster fungus on the lawn or suffocate the grass. For large yards, you can also use a lawn mower with a collection attachment. - De-Weed
Weeds are easier to spot in spring and summer, but they’re best attacked in autumn. Most herbicides recommend application in mid-fall, while midday temperatures hover around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A dose of weedkiller now will help make sure those pests don’t reappear next year. - Fertilize
Your lawn needs enough nourishment to make it through the long winter. Fall fertilization helps grasses strengthen their root systems throughout the cold months, producing a quicker green come spring.
Before you close up the shed for the season, take the time to give your lawn a little extra TLC. That extra work now will give you a healthy yard to enjoy all year round.