How to Maintain a Lawn in the Fall
- 1). Fertilize cool-season lawns such as bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass with a complete fertilizer (containing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium).
- 2). Water less as the weather cools or rains increase, but don't let the lawn go completely dry. If necessary, adjust automatic timers to water less often.
- 3). Mow the lawn when it's one-third higher than the recommended mowing height for that type of grass (see the Related eHows).
- 4). Leave the clippings on the lawn. They'll add nutrients as they break down.
- 5). Aerate cool-season lawns to improve water penetration and reduce thatch.
- 6). Encourage dormancy of warm-season lawns like Bermuda grass, zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass by cutting back on water and not fertilizing. Mow as necessary.
- 7). Renovate cool-season lawns that have been doing poorly (see the Related eHow).
- 8). Over-seed warm-season lawns with ryegrass or tall fescue to keep them green in areas where winter is mild (see the Related eHows).
- 9). Rake up fallen leaves so they don't smother the grass.
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