Healthy Lawn: Prep Your Turf Right Now with These 5 Things

If you’re like most American homeowners, the thought of having a nice-looking, healthy green lawn is both appealing and an ongoing goal. However, according to a BuisnessWire infographic, the majority of Americans don’t have the proper knowledge to maintain their lawn and may even be overconfident when it comes to lawn care. It suggests that less than 50% use a lawn care service and that around 60% don’t have basic knowledge of proper care and fertilization or how to tell if their lawn is healthy.

For the best lawn care results, it may be in your best interest to hire a lawn care service company (if you don’t already use one). Once you have hired a professional service, have them perform the following services in the autumn: For homes in the north, this should be performed ASAP, before the ground freezes.

1. Aerate Your Lawn Like Swiss Cheese
   Most Americans don’t know what aeration is, let alone its benefits to their lawn. Aeration is basically punching tiny little holes into the ground, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the thatch layer and improve grassroots growth. There are two types: core aeration and spike aeration. Core aeration is most effective as it pulls out small plugs of soil. Spiking works but is not as effective as the core.
2. Lay Seed Like Johnny Appleseed
   Autumn is the best time to lay seed. After enduring a hardy summer of child play, pets, fireworks, and other seasonal activities and just being trampled upon, grass can get patchy in places and even develop coarse dirt spots in high-traffic areas. To have a thick, robust, and vital turf throughout the entire yard, seeding is a must. Since the majority of grass types are cool-season grasses, laying seed in the fall naturally aligns with grass growth. Most Americans are unsure of their grass type. This is why it is best to hire and consult with a lawn care professional.
3. Fertilize, Fertilize, Fertilize
   Once a lawn is aerated and seeded, it needs to be watered and fed. Again, most Americans underestimate the benefits of these, especially fertilization. Your lawn is a living, breathing thing, so why would anyone starve it? Think of it this way: how long would you thrive without eating? Your lawn is no different. When you hire a lawn care professional, they should offer to fertilize your lawn with two autumn feedings, six to eight weeks apart. Your job is to make sure it’s watered at least one to two days later. This will help to ensure your grass is healthy when spring rolls around in six months.
4. No One Cares to be Grubby. Use Grub Control
   Most people want to see the fruits of their labor. So why would you let something unseen take that away? That’s exactly what a grub does. By autumn, grubs are fully grown, and the damage they cause takes effect on the soil and becomes apparent. A once lush green lawn can become discolored in spots or wilted due to grub infestations. Most people don’t realize they have a problem with grubs until it’s too late. Don’t let grubs take over your lawn or landscape. Let a lawn care professional help diagnose the problem and get your lawn back to good health. Most lawn services, and even pest control companies, have a treatment plan that is effective in controlling these destructive pests.
5. Waste Those Weeds! Apply Weed Control
   Weeds can wreak havoc like grubs. However, most people assume that they know when they have weeds because they see them above the soil. But what about the ones that lay in wait under the soil? There are two kinds of weeds: broad-leaf and narrow-leaf (grass-like). To apply the right weed control treatment for accurate upkeep, you need to know exactly which type has invaded your yard. Most turfs suffer from broad leaf, but to get rid of this menace, you must be absolutely sure. Again, let a lawn care professional help diagnose the problem. Also, follow their care instructions after treatment. This is vital for halting the spread.