Fall Lawn Prep: An Investment for Spring

Fall is the best time to prepare your lawn to help it become stronger for the winter and ready to grow when spring comes. Here are several steps you can take this fall to make your work easier this spring:

1. Test your soil. Test kits are available at the District, Scarborough NRCS office, and Falmouth Cooperative Extension.To test your soil, take several soil samples from around your lawn, mix them together in the box provided with the test kit. Allow your sample to dry and remove any large pieces (rock, sticks, etc) before mailing in the test kit. Test results will tell you exactly what your soil is missing and make recommendations for adding only what your lawn needs to have healthy soil. Soil experts are always on hand at the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District if you have any questions about interpreting your results.If your soil test indicates your lawn is lacking in key nutrients, look for a bag of fertilizer containing the correct nutrients and follow the instructions on how to apply it. Instead of fertilizing, you can also apply a compost tea to your lawn which will help add microorganisms and nutrients to your lawn.
2. Aerate your lawn. Aerating helps to allow more nutrients, air, water, and helpful microorganism to access the soil. Doing this step in the fall will help make your grass roots stronger for the winter. Power aerators can be rented from local nurseries and hardware stores.
3. Topdress. Adding a layer of compost to your lawn in the fall helps to give it a layer of insulation to get through the winter. It will also provide your grass with a burst of nutrients in the fall when it is focusing on storing nutrients in its roots. When spring comes, your lawn will be able to use the energy it has stored to start growing strong green grass.
4. Overseed. Rejuvenate your lawn by adding new grass seeds to your lawn. Choose a shady seed mix with a 60-70% fescues and 30-40% perennial ryegrasses. By adding new grass in the fall, you will be filling in any gaps where early spring weeds may begin to grow.
5. Mow better. Setting your mower blades to 3" will help your grass grow deep strong roots which are important in the fall when nutrients are being stored for winter. Leave the grass clippings behind to compost in place and return nutrients to the soil (free fertilizer!). On your last mow of the fall, cut your lawn to 2" high to reduce snow mold during the winter.

Following these simple steps can help to give your grass strong roots as it prepares for winter and lush green grass early in the spring while making your lawn safer for kids, pets, and the environment.For more information on preparing your lawn in the fall, visit the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District's YardScaping program.