As the crisp fall air settles in, it’s time to prepare your lawn for the winter months ahead. At Nunan’s Garden Center, we know that a few key steps taken in the fall can ensure your lawn is thick, lush, and healthy when spring arrives. This guide covers the essential fall lawn care practices of aerating, overseeding, and fertilizing. By using trusted products like Scott’s Grass Seed and Fertilizers, you can give your lawn the best chance to thrive. Let’s explore these important steps to prepare your lawn for a beautiful spring!

1. Aerating Your Lawn: Helping Roots Breathe

Aeration is the first step to rejuvenating your lawn in the fall. Over time, soil becomes compacted, making it difficult for water, nutrients, and air to reach the grass roots. Aeration involves creating small holes in the soil to relieve compaction and allow better nutrient absorption.

Why Aerate in the Fall?
Fall is the best time for aeration because the cooler temperatures and increased moisture allow the grass to recover quickly. Aerating also sets the stage for overseeding by ensuring better seed-to-soil contact, which improves germination.

How to Aerate Your Lawn:

• Use a core aerator to remove small plugs of soil and thatch.
• Aerate when the soil is slightly moist to make the process easier.
• Focus on high-traffic areas or spots with visible thatch buildup, as they tend to be more compacted.
• Leave the soil plugs on the lawn to break down naturally, returning nutrients to the soil.

2. Overseeding: Thickening Your Lawn for a Fuller Look

Overseeding adds new grass seed to an existing lawn to fill in bare spots and improve overall density. Fall is the ideal time to overseed because the cooler weather and increased moisture provide the perfect environment for seed germination.

Why Overseed in the Fall?
Cool-season grasses thrive in fall’s moderate temperatures, typically between 60-75°F. Overseeding now gives new grass time to establish before winter, leading to a thicker, healthier lawn by spring.

Steps for Successful Overseeding:

• Choose Scott’s Grass Seed for a high-quality result that’s perfect for your region.
• Mow the lawn slightly shorter than usual to help the new seeds reach the soil.
• Lightly rake the lawn to remove debris and loosen the soil surface.
• Spread the seed evenly with a broadcast spreader for consistent coverage.
• Lightly rake the area again to encourage good seed-to-soil contact.
• Water regularly to keep the soil moist during the germination period.

3. Fertilizing: Feeding Your Lawn for Winter Strength

Fertilizing your lawn in the fall provides the nutrients it needs to develop strong roots and store energy for the winter. Scott’s Fertilizers are designed to give your lawn the boost it needs to survive the cold and thrive in the spring.

Why Fertilize in the Fall?
Fall fertilization encourages strong root growth, which helps grass withstand winter stress and bounce back in the spring. The nutrients applied in fall support a quick green-up when temperatures rise.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer and Application Tips:

• Select a Scott’s Fertilizer with a higher potassium content to improve your lawn’s cold tolerance and root development.
• Follow the product instructions for the correct application rate to avoid over-fertilizing.
• Apply fertilizer in late September or early October while the grass is still actively growing.
• Water the lawn after fertilizing to help the nutrients reach the roots.

Additional Fall Lawn Care Tips

• Leaf Management: Regularly rake or mulch leaves to prevent them from smothering the grass and creating disease-prone conditions.
• Watering: Even in cooler weather, your lawn needs moisture to support root growth. Keep the soil moist, especially after aeration and overseeding.
• Weed Control: Consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide to stop winter weeds from taking root and competing with your grass.

By following these fall lawn care tips and using Scott’s Grass Seed and Fertilizers, you’ll set the stage for a thick, healthy lawn in the spring. Visit Nunan’s Garden Center for expert advice and all the products you need to prepare your lawn for the colder months.

Here’s to a beautiful, green lawn come spring!