Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice.
The Ultimate Fall Guide for Your Lawn.

The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, there’s pumpkins on the front step.
That can only mean one thing – it’s finally your lawn’s favorite season.

What are we seeing in the Connecticut/New York/New Jersey area? (Updated weekly)

The trees are showing off their gorgeous colors, and the weather is simply perfect! But there’s one thing—it’s super dry out there. Believe it or not, September and now October have been the driest months of the year, even drier than summer! Luckily, with the cooler temps, it’s not too much of a problem for healthy, established turf, which thrive in this kind of weather.

However, if you’ve recently seeded, you might notice those little guys aren’t germinating without water. If you can water, awesome—that’ll help speed things along. But if not, don’t stress! The seed isn’t going bad. It’s just waiting for the right amount of moisture to sprout. Just keep in mind, without regular watering, newly seeded areas will take a bit longer to grow.

Now, onto another popular question—when should you blow out your irrigation system? The answer: now! Ideally, we like to have that wrapped up by Thanksgiving. You never know when a sudden cold snap could hit, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Don’t wait until the last minute and risk damage from freezing temperatures. Get on the schedule now and protect your system before it’s too late!

Need help with your irrigation blowout? Give us a call, and we’ll get you sorted!

Two tips for your Fall Lawn:

1. Clean up your leaves.
2. Do not more your lawn too short.

 

What Happens to Lawns During the Fall?

In the fall, several changes occur in your lawn. Here are some key points on what happens to your lawn during this season:

1. Foliage Transformation: The leaves on trees surrounding your lawn begin to change color and eventually fall, covering the grass with a colorful carpet of leaves.
2. Cooler Temperatures: As temperatures drop, grass growth slows down. This can lead to a lusher and more vibrant appearance as the grass conserves energy.
3. Decreased Sunlight: With shorter days, there is less sunlight available for photosynthesis, which can impact the grass’s growth and color.
4. Increased Moisture: Fall often brings more rainfall, which can promote fungal growth and moss in the lawn if drainage is poor.
5. Preparing for Winter: Grass starts storing energy and nutrients in the roots in preparation for the winter months when growth is minimal.
6. Weed Growth Slows: Many weeds also start to slow down or die off in the fall, making it an ideal time for weed control efforts.
7. Aeration and Overseeding: Many homeowners choose to aerate their lawns in the fall to relieve soil compaction and overseed to promote thicker, healthier grass.
8. Leaf Cleanup: Regular leaf removal is necessary to prevent smothering the grass and promoting a healthy lawn.
9. Pest Activity: Some pests and insects become more active in the fall, which can require attention if they threaten your lawn.
10. Preparation for Winterization: Before winter arrives, lawns may need fertilization and other preparations to ensure they withstand the cold months.

Overall, your lawn goes through a transition in the fall as it prepares for the winter dormancy and responds to changing environmental conditions. Let’s break some of these points apart.

 

IT’S AERATION SEASON!

 

 Aerating and Seeding in the Fall

In the summer, your lawn is stressed. It may have suffered from the dry summer heat, disease activity and excessive activity on the grass in general. So what does this mean? It needs to breathe! Aerating in the fall reduces soil compaction allowing water, oxygen and nutrients to flow through the surface. This allows the roots of the plant to grow deeper and stronger for a better looking and healthier lawn. 

What are some of the benefits for aerating in the Fall?

1. Reduces soil compaction
2. Enhances root growth
3. Improves air exchange
4. Increases water infiltration
5. Nutrient uptake
6. Thatch reduction
7. Preparation for seeding
8. Lawn health and longevity
9. Reduced disease and pest issues
10. Enhances lawn appearance

 

Click the link below to learn everything you need to know about fall aeration.

https://teedandbrown.com/lawn-advice/core-aeration-101/

 

 

 

LEAVES

Leaves on grass in the fall can have both positive and negative effects, depending on how they are managed:

Positive Aspects:

1. MULCH AND NUTRIENT SOURCE: Leaves that are finely chopped or mulched into smaller pieces can provide a natural source of organic matter and nutrients for your lawn. As they decompose, they release essential nutrients back into the soil, benefiting your grass.
2. WINTER INSULATION: A light layer of leaves can act as natural insulation, helping to protect the grass from extreme temperature fluctuations and frost during the winter months.

Negative Aspects:

1. SUNLIGHT BLOCKAGE A thick layer of leaves can block sunlight from reaching the grass, inhibiting photosynthesis and potentially weakening the grass. This can lead to thinning or dead patches in your lawn.
2. MOISTURE RETENTION: Piles of leaves can trap moisture on the lawn’s surface, promoting fungal diseases like snow mold. Excessive moisture can also cause rot in grass and create an environment for pests.
3. INSECT HABITATS Leaves can provide shelter and breeding grounds for insects and pests that might damage your lawn, like grubs or rodents.
4. SMOTHERING: Heavy, wet leaves can smother and compress the grass, leading to soil compaction and potential root damage.

To manage leaves on your grass effectively in the fall, consider these steps:

1. MULCHING: Use a mulching mower to finely chop the leaves into small pieces. The mulched leaves can be left on the lawn to decompose and provide nutrients.
2. RAKING OR BLOWING: Regularly rake or blow leaves off your lawn to prevent a thick layer from forming.
3. COMPOSTING: Collect leaves and add them to a compost pile. Once decomposed, you can use the resulting compost to enrich your garden or flower beds.
4. LEAF VACUUM: Use a leaf vacuum to collect and bag leaves efficiently.
5. LAWN DEBRIS REMOVAL If your local waste management services offer lawn debris collection, take advantage of it.

Overall, it’s important to manage leaves on your grass to maintain a healthy and thriving lawn during the fall and beyond. But if you do receive our services please do make sure to have your leaves removed prior to your scheduled service!

 

Learn more about mulching your leaves with  CEO, Cristopher Brown here: https://youtu.be/id0u1Iok7_I?si=jUhso-PKXTnkyLCN

 

 

Mowing Tips:

1.     SHARPEN THE MOWER BLADES!
We can’t stress enough how important this is. Sharp blades are critical for plant health

2.     LONGER IS BETTER!
Mowing your lawn between 3 and 3 1/2 inches long has proven to be ideal for healthy grass in a home lawn.

Understand the importance of these steps a little further with Christopher Brown by clicking on the link: https://youtu.be/EqR837mg318

 

Watering After an Aeration Service

Watering your lawn properly after core aeration is essential to ensure the success of the aeration process and any subsequent overseeding or lawn repair efforts. Here’s a guide on how to water your lawn after aeration:

1.  Initial Watering: After the core aeration process is complete, water the lawn thoroughly. This initial watering helps settle the soil and newly created aeration holes, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact if you’re planning to overseed.

2. Consistent Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist in the days following aeration and overseeding. This means watering lightly but frequently to prevent the soil from drying out. The goal is to provide an environment that promotes seed germination and establishment.

3. Avoid Overwatering: While it’s important to keep the soil moist, be cautious not to overwater. Overwatering can lead to waterlogged conditions, disease issues, and poor grass growth. Use a light touch and monitor the soil’s moisture level to avoid excessive watering.

4. Time of Day: Water your lawn in the early morning if possible. Morning watering allows the grass to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases that can thrive in moist conditions. Avoid watering in the evening, as extended moisture overnight can encourage disease development.

5. Adjust Sprinklers: Make sure your sprinklers are set to deliver even coverage. Test the coverage pattern and adjust the sprinkler heads as needed to ensure that all areas receive adequate moisture.

6. Watering Depth: Water deeply but infrequently. This encourages the development of deep root systems. Aim for about 6 to 8 inches of moisture penetration into the soil. You can check this by inserting a screwdriver or a soil probe into the ground after watering to see how far the moisture has reached.

7. Evaporation Considerations: If the weather is particularly hot, windy, or dry, you may need to water more frequently to counteract evaporation. Adjust your watering schedule based on the specific weather conditions.

8. Gradual Reduction: As the new grass becomes established, you can gradually reduce the frequency of watering. This encourages the grass roots to grow deeper in search of moisture, leading to a healthier and more drought-resistant lawn.

9. Monitor Soil Conditions: Regularly check the soil moisture level by digging a small hole in the ground and feeling the soil. Adjust your watering schedule based on the moisture level to ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Remember that proper watering practices are essential for the health and success of your lawn, whether or not you’ve recently aerated or overseeded. Consistent and mindful watering helps your lawn thrive and ensures the best possible results from your lawn care efforts.