As summer fades and the outdoor festivities wind down, your lawn may bear the signs of a season well spent—patchy spots, wear and tear, and overall exhaustion from frequent use. But don’t fret; this transitional period is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your lawn and set it up for a vibrant fall and a robust spring. By making a few adjustments to your lawn care routine, you can restore its health and ensure it’s ready to thrive in the coming months. Here's how:
#1: Adjust watering practices and monitor rainfall
"As natural rainfall increases towards the end of the summer, it is important to monitor these changes in precipitation and adjust lawn watering plans accordingly," shares Matthew Koch, Ph.D., Director of Biotechnology, Genetics, and Seed at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. "Try to water deeply and infrequently as this encourages grass roots to grow deeper, making the grass plants more resistant to drought."
#2: Repair bare spots caused by increased foot traffic
"In the summer, people spend more time than ever on lawns," reminds Koch. "Because of this higher foot traffic, worn out turf and bare or brown spots are common. To help mitigate this issue and maintain a healthy lawn, consider using Scotts EZ Seed Patch & Repair Sun and Shade once temperatures reach between 60°F and 80°F. This product encourages growth even in tough conditions, including full sun, dense shade, high traffic areas and on slopes."
#3: Watch for signs of disease and practice prevention
"Warm, humid conditions in the summer often promote fungal diseases in grass," notes Koch. "It’s important to understand the likelihood of disease during this time so you can prepare in advance by using Scotts Turf Builder Healthy Plus Lawn Food to both prevent dead grass and control lawn diseases. This product can also be used on all grass types and helps a lush lawn healthy so it's able to withstand additional stress."
#4: Aerate the lawn to alleviate soil compaction
Summer activities can compact the dry soil on a beautiful lawn, limiting deep root growth and water absorption. What can we say, it's a stressful time! Aerating the lawn in early fall helps to relieve this compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil more effectively. You can use a manual or mechanical core aerator to remove plugs of soil and create small holes in the lawn, promoting healthier and more resilient grass. Not sure what aerator will be best for your lawn? We can help with that.
#5: Fertilize to strengthen grass and promote healthy growth before winter
Fertilizing your lawn in the late summer months and into the fall helps blades of grass recover from summer drought stress and prepares it for the winter months. Choose a late summer fertilizer, like Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard, which is designed to strengthen deeper roots and improve the lawn's ability to store nutrients during the cold season. If you want a lush, green lawn when spring arrives, this is the perfect time for fertilizer application.
#6: Overseed to Thicken and Restore a Healthier Lawn
Overseeding is the process of spreading grass seed over your existing lawn to fill in thin areas and improve overall density. Early fall is an ideal time for overseeding, as cooler soil temperatures and increased rainfall provide the perfect environment for additional seed to establish. Some might say there are advantages over spring seeding! Be sure to choose a seed blend suited to your lawn's conditions, such as shade or sun exposure, to achieve the best results.
#7: Adjust Mowing Height for Cooler Weather
As temperatures drop, adjust your lawn care program. Raise your lawn mower blade to leave the grass slightly taller. Taller grass shades the soil, reducing water evaporation and protecting the healthy roots from early frost. A height of 2.5 to 3 inches is typically recommended for most cool-season grasses during the fall. This helps maintain lawn health and prepares it for the cooler months ahead.
