Fall Lawn Care Checklist for Dallas Homeowners
As summer winds down and temperatures begin to cool, homeowners may not be keeping general lawn care tasks top-of-mind. But fall is actually an important time to repair and refresh the lawn while preparing for the spring season. These fall lawn care tips can assist in maintaining a happy, healthy lawn year-round in Dallas, Texas.
The Importance of Fall Lawn Care in Dallas
After the stressful heat of Texas summers, fall is a saving grace for many lawns suffering from heat and drought stress. Lawn care during the early fall months is an optimal time to repair your Dallas lawn, prevent weeds in upcoming seasons, and prepare your lawn for the next year. Some may even say fall is one of the most important times of year for lawn care due to pre-emergent weed control, fall aeration, and cool-season grass maintenance.
Fall Weed Control
Weed control is a crucial part of fall lawn care. When lawns go dormant in the winter, weeds do not! Weeds can invade your lawn at any time of year and winter weeds are an eyesore in dormant grass. Applying fall and winter pre-emergent herbicides at the ideal time helps to prevent winter weed germination.
Aerate Your Lawn
Early fall is a great time for a second lawn aeration for Texas lawns. Aeration helps alleviate soil compaction and thatch build-up on your lawn. Thatch is a layer of organic material that blocks valuable nutrients from reaching the soil and root systems. Aeration improves your lawn’s ability to absorb nutrients like water, sunlight, fertilizer, and oxygen. The best time for aeration of warm-season grasses is in late spring, before the active growing season, and early fall.
Rake Leaves
One of the best parts of fall is the beautiful colors of fall leaves. However, fallen leaves aren’t as great for your lawn! Make sure to rake leaves off of your lawn to prevent them from blocking sunlight and water from reaching the soil. A little bit of leaf coverage is okay but can quickly become an issue. A heavy layer of leaves can suffocate your lawn and cause dead patches. In cases with minimal leaf coverage, you can try mulching your leaves to add additional nutrients to your lawn’s soil.
Watering and Mowing
The fall season in Texas doesn’t mean the lawn care chores are finished. Texas temperatures remain fairly high into the fall season and your lawn still needs regular mowing and watering to stay healthy and strong. Continue morning watering to keep the lawn hydrated and follow the recommended mowing height for your type of grass. When you are finished mowing for the season, make sure to replace your mower blades before spring begins.
Apply Fall Fertilizer
Fall fertilizer can provide great benefits to your lawn before going into the dormant season. Fertilizers rich in potassium can help improve winter hardiness to protect your grass from any harsh, cold weather. You may also consider taking a soil test to determine any nutrients that may be lacking in the soil. Limestone can be applied in cooler months to help balance the pH of your soil.
Clean Your Gutters
Keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris. Clean gutters can help limit mosquito activity as well as limit pooling water collecting in areas around your home with poor drainage. Areas that hold moisture can encourage weeds, fungus, and other environmental issues around your lawn.
Local Fall Lawn Care and Aeration in Dallas, Texas
Take some of the stress out of your fall lawn care and contact the professionals at Lawn Tech! Based out of Dallas, we are a local lawn care service offering weed control and fertilization programs, tree and shrub care, lawn pest control, core aeration, and more. Established in 1985, we have years of experience helping Dallas homeowners maintain a lush, healthy lawn. We know what Texas lawns need to thrive and now is a great time to get on schedule for fall aeration! We proudly serve Dallas, Allen, Frisco, Prosper, Plano, McKinney, Flower Mound, and surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free quote! Our pricing is based on the square feet of your lawn.