Each fall, as you stock up on pumpkins and fall decor, take some time to care for your lawn. If you work on your landscaping in the fall, you’ll enjoy a lush, lovely lawn in the spring. Keep reading to see our top five fall landscaping tips.
Check Your Soil and Feed Your Lawn
Healthy soil is the first step to a beautiful lawn, and fall is the perfect time to check your soil. See how to check the pH level of your soil here. After that, fertilize your lawn to add nutrients. Make sure to fertilize early in the fall so the soil has plenty of time to soak up the nutrients before the first frost. Each type of grass requires a different fertilizer, so do some research or ask an expert before buying fertilizer. If you’re new to feeding your lawn, ask your neighbors what type of spreader they use. Broadcast spreaders work best for lawns larger than 4,000 square feet. Drop spreaders work for smaller lawns.
Be Sure to Mow and Rake
You may see some leaves fall at the beginning of the season. It’s best to wait until more leaves have fallen before grabbing your rake. Make sure you get some gloves and eye protection to stay safe. If you want to make this a family-friendly activity, ask your kids to help rake the fall leaves. Read more tips for raking your leaves here.
Continue mowing your lawn until the grass stops growing or a frost hits. Then check your lawnmower’s blades; they should be cleaned and sharpened before putting your mower away. Also, ensure your other landscaping tools, such as garden hoes and shovels, are properly cleaned and stored for winter.
Get Rid of Weeds
A few weeds may have sprouted during the summer. It happens to the best of us. If you get rid of the weeds in the fall, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn and plants in the spring. Try the “hands-on” approach of pulling the weeds with your hands. Or try some weed killer or these organic alternatives.
Care for Your Perennials
Some perennials, including hostas, heucheras, and daylilies, need dividing every few years. By dividing your perennials, you are preventing the plants from overcrowding and competing for nutrients from the soil. But how do you know when it’s time to split up your perennials? It may have a dead spot in the center. Or if a plant produces fewer flowers each year, it may need dividing.
If you think your perennials need to be divided, tackle this a few weeks before the first freeze. Dig up the root ball and divide it into separate pieces. Then replant the root balls at the same depth you found them. Be sure to add compost and plenty of water.
Plant More Flowers for Spring
Now that you’ve done the dirty work, consider what plants you’d like to see in the spring. Then plant these seeds this season. We suggest:
Daffodils - These plants add a pop of yellow in the spring. Plant two to four weeks before the first freeze.
Hostas - The most common perennial, these plants vary in color and are easy to maintain.
Peonies - These plants are hearty and beautiful. They’ll last for several seasons.
See more plant options here.
We hope you enjoy preparing your landscaping for spring. Post your fall landscaping photos and tag @InvitationHomes !