When the days start getting shorter and the evenings a little colder, many people are quick to neglect their outdoor space. But there are some simple steps to prep your lawn for fall, and though you might not see the results till spring, it will be well worth it this April when everyone on the block is asking how you get your yard to look so fresh!

Mowing

Until it’s no longer feasible, keep mowing and watering your lawn into the autumn months. Trick of the trade? Drop your mower’s blade to the lowest setting for the final trims of the year. An extra short cut allows more sunlight to reach the base of the grass.

Aerating Soil

Fall is a great time for aerating your lawn so oxygen, water and fertilizer can easily reach roots. A self-propelled machine will quickly punch holes in the soil and extract plugs of dirt. You can rent the machines yourself OR hire the pros to take care of it for you.

Raking Leaves

The sooner you remove fallen leaves, the better. If the leaves get wet they might stick together and create a solid mat that could suffocate the grass and breed fungal diseases.

Fertilizing

It might seem counter-intuitive, but the vote is in from lawn experts. Fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn. While grass leaves aren’t growing as quickly, the grass roots continue to develop. Fall fertilizer delivers essential nutrients so the grass can grow deep roots and keep nutrients on reserve for a healthy start in the spring.

Weed Control

Fall is a great time to fight back against invading weeds. Since they are in a high nutrient-absorbing mode, weed-killers will be extra effective. Apply an herbicide now and the weeds probably won’t be back in the spring.