Summer is winding down and cooler temps are on their way. As we mentally prepare for the upcoming changes, it’s also a good idea to give your lawn some hands on TLC. Changing how and when you mow should be on the list of things to do before winter hits. Did you know that poor lawn maintenance and improper mowing practices in late summer/early fall can lead to an underperforming lawn next spring? Mowing at the end of the fall season is one of the best ways to bring your hardy, green grass back for another great year.

If you don’t have a pre-winter plan for your lawn yet, here are some things to consider from the Pro Staff at Spartan Mowers:

DOS:

• Keep mowing your lawn, and keep it at 3″ cut blade. As a rule of thumb, it’s good to never mow more than ⅓ of the grass blade length. 

  
  

• Rake your leaves frequently. Leaving a random leaf or two behind is no big deal - and actually serves as a great natural mulching material. But be sure to remove the bulk of the leaves, as they can block sunlight and trap moisture.

  
  

• Remove dead grass that is too thick so that sunlight, water, and oxygen can filtrate the roots.

  
  

• Pull the weeds from the root with your hands. Instead of cutting the head of the weed with the lawn mower, grab the weed from the root to remove the entire weed.

  
  

• Be sure to fertilize with the right fertilizer. Your late summer lawn may require a different fertilizer than you would use in the spring and summer. Make sure to do your research to find the best fertilizer for your end of summer lawn.

  
  

• Consider aerating the soil. The soil will be more compacted as a result of foot traffic and harsh temps. This will also allow oxygen, fertilizer and water to penetrate the grass roots. Be sure to avoid the spike-shaped aerate tools that only punch holes in the turf.

  
  

DON'TS:

• Don’t cut your grass too short. If you cut the grass too short, the roots will be exposed to sunlight and can actually burn your grass.

  
  

• DON’T stop watering the grass just because it’s cooler outside. Your lawn still needs about an inch a week if rainfall isn’t sufficient in your area.

  
  

• Don’t use a dull blade. Of course, this is great advice year-round - but after a full summer of yard cuttings, your lawn mower’s blades may become dull. If you mow your lawn with a dull blade, it can shred the grass and leave a sad sight behind.

  
  

• Don’t leave thick, dead grass sitting on your lawn. Dead grass that is dense can actually block oxygen and sunlight from reaching the grass roots.

  
  

• DON’T forget to overseed! Fill in those bare patches and thin spots with fresh seed. Don’t wait too long because the seeds need ample time to germinate and take root before the first frost.

  
  

Source: Spartan Mowers (https://spartanmowers.com/blog/page/92/late-summer-mowing-dos-and-donts)

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