When should I begin fall lawn care?

Fall lawn maintenance starts when temperatures consistently remain under 75°F, which is usually from late August to mid-September. This timeframe enables the grass to store nutrients and may allow some regrowth due to the cooler weather before going dormant. I like to start with core aeration because it is like oxygen for your lawn after a summer of being smothered in heat. Clients that aerate early in the fall, typically at this time, see about a 40% faster green-up in the spring with core aeration than those who do not.

Overseeding requires careful timing. Seeds should be spread when soil temperature is between 50-65°F, as measured with a thermometer at a depth of two inches. I generally use a mixture of perennial ryegrass with a fescue blend for toughness. A client in Chicago got 95% coverage by overseeding on September 10, the date of the first autumn rains.

The choice of fertilizer can affect the chances of winter survival. Some people apply the 24-0-10 formula six weeks before the first frost. The reason to apply a slow-release nitrogen product is so the root system is fed without forcing the tops to grow (which makes them more vulnerable). Phosphorus should be avoided unless a soil test determines that it is deficient in your soil because phosphorus can leach into waterways. In Wisconsin, my clients faced a runoff issue but followed the phosphorus rule and reduced runoff issues by 60%.

Read the full article: 10 Expert Fall Lawn Care Strategies for a Lush Yard