Just read this great article from Popular Mechanics on what to do for your lawn now, to prepare it for next Spring. I'm not one to get into doing yard work, but it seems doing a little now, really helps down the road.
"Many homeowners think lawns need less care in the fall because the grass
grows more slowly. In fact, just the opposite is true. During this time
of year, grass is busily absorbing energy, moisture, and nutrients in
preparation for a long, dormant winter. Give it a little attention now,
and you'll be rewarded with a lush, healthy spring lawn. Just follow
these six tips.
Keep on Mowing
Continue to water and mow your lawn, as needed, throughout the fall.
Then as the season draws to a close, drop the mower's blade to its
lowest setting for the last two cuttings of the year. That will allow
more sunlight to reach the crown of the grass, and there will be less
leaf to turn brown during the winter.
*Note: As you lower the blade, just remember not to trim off more than
one-third of the grass blades at any one time. If necessary, gradually
lower the cutting height until the time of the final two cuttings.
Aerate the Soil
Fall is also an ideal time to aerate your lawn
so that oxygen, water, and fertilizer can easily reach the grass's
roots. You can rent a gas-powered, walk-behind lawn aerator for about
$70 per day. The self-propelled machine will quickly punch holes into
the soil and extract plugs of dirt. If you've got a very large yard—say,
more than 3 or 4 acres—and don't feel like aerating it yourself, hire a
landscaping contractor.
Rake the Leaves
I know raking leaves is no one's idea of fun, but it's important to
remove fallen leaves from your lawn as soon as possible. Don't wait
until all the leaves have fallen from the trees to start raking. If you
do, the leaves will become wet from rain and morning dew, stick
together, and form an impenetrable mat that if left unmoved will
suffocate the grass and breed fungal diseases.
An alternative to raking leaves is to use a lawnmower fitted with a
collection bag or vacuum system. These methods are particularly
effective if you have a very large yard with many deciduous trees.
Regardless of whether you use a rake or a lawnmower, just be sure to
remove the leaves before they turn into a soggy, suffocating mess.
Fertilize for Future Growth
Most lawn experts agree: If you fertilize your lawn
only once a year, do it in the fall. The reason? Grass leaves grow much
more slowly as the weather turns cool, but the grass roots and rhizomes
continue to grow quickly. (Rhizomes are the horizontal plant stems that
lie just beneath the soil's surface; they produce the blades of grass
above and the roots below.) A fall application of fertilizer delivers
essential nutrients for the grass to grow deep roots now and to keep
nutrients on reserve for a healthy start next spring.
Wait until mid-to-late fall, then apply a dry lawn fertilizer to all
grassy areas; be careful not to miss any spots. You could use a
crank-style broadcast spreader, but for optimum coverage, consider using
a walk-behind drop spreader. It takes a little longer, especially on
hilly yards, but a drop spreader provides the best way to apply an even,
consistent layer of fertilizer.
Fill in Bald Spots
Autumn is also a great time of year to fix any bare, bald spots in your
lawn. The quickest, easiest way to do this is with an all-in-one lawn repair mixture.
Sold at most garden shops and home centers, this ready-to-use mixture
contains grass seed, a special quick-starter lawn fertilizer, and
organic mulch.
Use a garden rake to scratch loose the soil at the bald spot in your
lawn. Then spread a thick layer of the lawn repair mixture over the
area. Lightly compact the mixture, then water thoroughly, and continue
to water every other day for two weeks.
Weed Control
If broadleaf weeds like dandelions have taken over your lawn, now's the
time to fight back. Weeds, like most plants, are in the energy-absorbing
mode during the fall. They're drinking in everything that comes their
way, including weed killers. Apply an herbicide now and the weeds won't
return in the spring.
Read the package label before use. Most herbicide manufacturers
recommend applying the weed killer during early-to-mid autumn, when
daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit."
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