Homes Plus
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/183795
12 HOMES PLUS OCTOBER 2013 Fall lawn tips that keep your yard looking great (BPT) – Falling temperatures and shorter days don't mean you can retire from lawn care for the year. In fact, the fall season is a critical time to nourish lawns and care for plants so they can survive winter and emerge even more vibrant when next spring arrives. Before you store your lawn and garden supplies, consider these fall lawn tips that keep your yard looking great year-round: Fertilize Your lawn may not look like it's doing much above ground during cool months, but below ground root systems continue to grow. That's why most lawn care professionals recommend fertilizing once or twice in the fall – grass will store and use the extra boost of nutrients throughout winter. Fertilizers high in nitrogen are ideal for fall feedings. Sweep Leaves and other foliage left on the ground can rot and deprive grass and other plants of moisture and sunlight. If you dread raking, a blower/vac is the ideal tool. Go eco-friendly with a rechargeable batterypowered option from Greenworks. With no 234558001 cords and an easy push start, the innovative 40V Brushless Blower/Vacuum blows up to 185 mph, plus it can vacuum four bags of leaves on a single charge. Water Watering during fall is important to foster root growth and give plants a healthy drink before winter arrives. If you're not experiencing at least 1 inch of rainfall a week, supplement with a sprinkler. Continue the same eco-friendly watering strategies you used throughout summer, such as watering in the mornings to reduce evaporation. Seed Have a few sparse areas in your yard? Fall is a great season for grass seed to germinate due to the cool, moist weather. Plus, because most seasonal birds have left, the seed is less vulnerable to being eaten. Over-seeding now not only fills in open areas, but it increases grass density to help prevent weeds next year. Loosen and prepare the soil, choose a high-quality grass seed and water the area plenty so seeds reach maturity before winter. See LAWN/Page 13