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Fall Prep Work Makes for a Green
Spring
Courtesy of Milorganite
Although it's tough to admit, summer is drawing to a close and backyard
activities will soon be slowing down; but that doesn't mean you
shouldn't take care of your lawn just as you would if spring were right
around the corner. As a matter of fact, there are several things you can
do now to get your lawn ready for winter and, ultimately, the following
spring.
Watch Out for Falling Leaves
With the advent of autumn, it's inevitable that leaves will change color
and fall to the ground. Once your trees lose their leaves, it's
important to mulch them or pick them up. Flat leaves, such as those of
the maple tree, will lie on your lawn and smother grass. If you rake
your lawn, don't let the piles sit too long. Piles of leaves can prevent
air and light from reaching the grass, thereby suffocating it.
An easy way to dispose of leaves is to use your lawn mower to mulch them
into the grass. This process can add valuable nutrients to your lawn. If
there is simply way too much leaf litter, pick up the leaves and add
them to your mulch pile or garden. Decomposing leaves are great for
loosening clay soils. They add moisture and nutrient-holding capacity to
sandy soils.
The Final Cut
Don't put that mower away just yet! When your grass quits growing and
the last fallen leaves need mulching, it's time to give your lawn one
last cut. Set your mower blades so they cut the lawn relatively high. At
this point in the year, grass takes in nutrients to store in its roots
for a healthy start in the spring. If you cut your grass too low, it
greatly slows down this process. If you cut the grass too short and cold
weather comes early, your lawn may not be able to store enough energy
for spring. The result is called winterkill.
"The Lawn Institute recommends that northern and southern grasses be cut
between 1 1/2 and 2 inches long," says Mike Archer, master gardener and
market development and research coordinator for Milorganite. "Do not
remove more than one-third of the leaf at one mowing. You should always
mow when the grass is dry to prevent promoting and spreading lawn
diseases; and keep your blade sharp for a nice, clean cut."
Fertilization Is Important
Research at the University of Wisconsin shows that adding a slow-release
nitrogen fertilizer, such as Milorganite 6-2-0, to your lawn in the fall
speeds greening up to two weeks earlier in the spring "Even in northern
climates, lawns are quick to demand nutrients for early spring greening
and growth,” says Archer. “Fertilizing will also help repair any winter
damage more quickly."
Fertilizer should be applied twice in the fall. The first application
should be made two months before your lawn goes dormant for the winter
to help your lawn store energy. A lawn is considered dormant when it is
no longer growing. This will vary by year and where you live. The second
application should occur just before your lawn goes dormant. Use a slow
release fertilizer, such as Milorganite 6-2-0, at this time. A
slow-release-fertilizer will not leach into groundwater during the
winter months. As a result, the lawn will utilize more nutrients instead
of letting them go to waste.
"The only time you should not perform a late fertilizer application is
if you have a St. Augustine grass lawn or a southern turf type," says
Archer. "Such an application will prevent the lawn from going dormant as
it should, resulting in winterkill."
Aerate
For those of you with northern turf types, fall is a great time to
aerate. Aeration improves water penetration into the ground. It also
allows fall fertilizer to penetrate into the soil, near the grass roots.
Aeration speeds up the process of getting lawns ready for winter's harsh
weather.
Aerating your lawn involves using a machine to poke small holes in the
top 2 to 3 inches of soil. There are many lawn care companies that
provide this service, or if you're the do-it-yourself type, you can rent
an aerator at many rental agencies.
According to Archer, if a lawn is more than 10 years old, following
aeration is a good time to overseed with newer varieties of grass. These
varieties tend to be darker in color, have increased disease resistance
and respond better to fertilizing. When seeding, the holes should fill
to about three-quarters of an inch.
"By letting the holes partially fill, you prevent grass seed from being
planted too deep," says Archer. "Lawn seed only needs to be planted 1/16
to 1/8 inch deep."
Until Next Spring
By following these simple tips, you can rest easy during the cold winter
months, knowing that your lawn is well cared for. And you can dream of
those summertime activities that are just around the corner. Not to
mention, you'll be enjoying your lush, green lawn earlier in the spring,
while your neighbors are scratching their heads trying to figure out
your secret for a healthy lawn.
Available at garden centers, landscaping companies and retail locations
nationwide, Milorganite products are suitable for use on gardens or
lawns. For additional information regarding Milorganite and its
products, call (800) 304-6204 or visit
www.milorganite.com.
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