The fall is an important time to pay attention to your lawn, and to make a few adjustments to your lawn-care to ensure you have a lush green yard next spring. There are a ton of resources to find information specific to our area and lawncare catered to our region. I went to the Anne Arundel County Farmers Co-op located in Glen Burnie to get started on my lawn. They recommended a soil test that was mailed to a lab in Delaware to determine a course of action for my lawn. Additionally the University of Maryland has an extensive library of resources dedicated to our region here: University of Maryland Lawn Care
- Aeration: Mechanical aeration helps soil compaction in established lawns, encourages root growth by increasing oxygen to roots, and allows seed, lime and fertilizer to enter into the soil. Should be done every 2-4 years. Time of year: fall
- Fertilizing: Fertilizer is essential for maintaining healthy, relatively weed and disease free grass. Timing, type and amount of fertilizer play important roles in properly managing your lawn and helping to be responsible for protecting our natural resources. see: How to Fertilize your Lawn Responsibly. Time of year: applications in Sept. & Oct.
- Liming: Soil in Maryland has a tendency to become acidic over time. Adding lime to your lawn will make it more alkaline and bring your pH to normal levels. A soil test will help you determine the pH of your lawn, and how much lime is needed. Time of year: anytime (ideal in fall)
- Seeding: University of Maryland has recommended Tall Turf-type fescue for our region. Late summer to early fall (mid-August to mid-October) is the best time for seeding cool season turfgrasses. Warm soil and moderate air temperatures encourage seed germination and there is less competition from weeds. The second best time to seed is early March through April. Seed planted at other times fails to become established, usually because of weather conditions. Best time: Late Summer/Early fall, Early-mid Spring.
Looks like a busy fall for me. If you don’t think aerating is necessary you could use a dethatching blade to encourage growth by removing the dead plant material from the base of your lawn. This year I’ll use the dethatching blade before I seed to get more seed to soil contact. Best of luck in getting your lawn ready for the winter. Hopefully the rest of your house is as prepared as your lawn will be, but of course call us if you are concerned about your windows or doors.