Autumn brings a time-honored ritual of home ownership to Central Ohio: namely, raking leaves! In addition to leaf removal, there are a few things you should do to this fall to keep your lawn in good shape. Here are tips from Bob Vila and other sources around the web!
Lower your mower. Unless your lawn is already sheared golf-course short, adjust the mower deck to about 2 and ½ inches of cutting height. Cutting your lawn shorter in fall helps keep grass from matting and suffocating under the weight of leaves and snow.
Water when dry. Your lawn gets thirsty in the fall, even though the weather is cool. Water once or twice a week if conditions are dry. Irrigate in early mornings for best absorption.
Overseed. This means planting of grass seed directly into existing turf, without tearing up the turf or the soil. Do this to fill in bare spots, or to improve the density of your lawn. To prepare for seeding, mow your lawn about ½ inch shorter than normal and remove the clippings. Sow grass seed over the mowed area, making two passes at right angles to each other.
Fertilize. Ideally, you should fertilize your lawn in early September and again in late fall. Fertilizing helps your lawn green up earlier in the spring.
Remove perennial weeds. If you dislike dandelions, or your yard is choking in clover, fall is the time to attack pesky weeds. You can use store-bought herbicides, but these are harmful to wildlife and pets. There are natural ways to remove dandelions and other weeds, and you can also dig them out by the root.
Lay new sod. If your lawn has bare patches or dead areas, sod helps you quickly restore turf. Choose a perennial sod that is thick, dense, and weed-free. Lay sod before frosty nights become common, and keep it moist.
Aerate your lawn. Aeration reduces thatch, which can choke off roots, and improves drainage. Make sure that the aerator you use pulls plugs of soil from the turf, instead of simply punching holes in the ground.
Apply a top dressing. This is the process of applying a thin layer of soil or compost over your existing turf. It improves growing conditions and smooths bumps in the lawn. To apply a top dressing, spread a thin layer of equal parts loam, sand, and peat. Be sure to aerate before you apply a top dressing. Work the top dressing into the soil by raking it in.
Rake and mulch leaves. Leaves left on the ground will mat down your grass and smother it. If you choose to mulch leaves, use a mulching mower, which does a better job than a typical lawn mower.
If allergies make yardwork difficult, or you lack the time to tackle lawn care, hire a pro to take care of things for you. We’ll be happy to refer you to local, trustworthy professionals who can help with your lawn care needs. Just ask!
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Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!
Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!
Andrew Show
Broker, CEBA, CEBA-M, CNE, CSP, ABR-M, e-PRO, GREEN
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax
