As summer nears its end, it’s a good time to begin thinking about the fall season and how it will affect your landscape. The temperatures will begin to drop, and it will begin to rain more often. Not only will you want to begin preparing your landscape for these changes, but you’ll want to make sure that it will be in the best possible shape throughout fall so that it can make it through winter with minimal wear and tear. With that in mind, the following are a few tasks that you will need to perform to prepare your commercial landscape for fall:
Aerate – If your soil has become too compact, it will make it difficult for plants and grass to receive the nutrients they need. This will become even more problematic as you head into winter, which is why aerating your soil in the Fall is a great idea. It adds impact to Fall fertilizer as well. Leaving soil compacted can create short root systems, which affects the health and look of your lawn. Core aeration is both cost effective and vital for your lawn’s health. Loosening the soil helps with moisture retention and less water runoff.
Mow Grass Weekly while grass is still actively growing – As temperatures begin dropping, you should begin cutting less frequently. During the fall, the grass should be at mid to normal length. However, don’t cut it too short — you don’t want your roots to be exposed to cold temperatures as this can result in turf loss. Remember to never cut more than a third of the grass blade during any single cutting.
Fertilize – A light fertilization to your lawn in the summer, grass variety dependent, since hot temperatures and dry conditions with fertilizer can burn your lawn is recommended. Additionally, a well balanced fertilizer applied in the fall will help make sure your soil has all the nutrients it needs to make it through winter. Fall is a great time to fertilize before cold temperatures set in. Proper and timely fertilization can be good for your lawn and the environment. There is less chance for nutrient runoff from a healthy stand of grass than from bare soil or thin grass. Thick healthy lawns will also reduce the likely hood of soil erosion. Healthy lawns will have fewer diseases, insect, and weed problems. This will reduce the need for pesticide and fungicide applications. Well-maintained lawns look appealing and are more tolerant to environmental stresses.
Plant New Trees, Shrubs and Perennials – Fall planting follows the heat of summer, before a cool winter season, and trees and shrubs planted in the fall use this to good advantage. Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, which may occur all winter in Texas. During the winter months, the root systems of the fall-planted specimens develop and become established. When spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth.
Lawn Management Company is your resource for impeccable turf management and commercial landscape management year-round. Our team will take the stress of keeping your landscaping looking pristine when you choose LMC as your commercial landscaper. We have certified landscape professionals, certified turfgrass professionals and certified arborists on staff to provide the highest quality landscaping in Houston to your commercial properties. Let us know how we can help.