Fall may be officially here, but that doesn’t mean your gardening duties need to take a back seat. And despite the cooler temperatures, your grass will benefit from some TLC now if you want to maintain a healthy and lush lawn for next year. Although it would make sense to put off all lawn care tasks until we see warmer weather again, you’ll be mistaken.
According to a gardening expert, there is one common lawn care mistake that we often make during fall months. What’s more, this can invite pests and diseases to our lawns if we avoid doing this simple task.
Don't put off mowing your lawn
While it might seem the obvious thing to do, don’t retire your lawn mower just yet. In fact, now is the perfect time to tend to your grass to encourage new growth and prevent it from disease during fall.
"One mistake gardeners often make is packing their lawn mowers up as soon as fall appears,” states Jonathan Davis, a grass expert at Lawnsmith. “Fall has been milder in recent years, but last year, we saw grass growth in November meaning the last mow could have been done around the end of October and start of November.
“Timing is crucial. You don’t want to leave it too late and have vulnerable fresh-cut grass when the first frost arrives and you want to avoid cutting a wet lawn too.
"Grass growth does slow in fall, so you don’t need to be mowing weekly as you would in summer. But every two or three weeks, depending on how fast your grass grows, should be fine.”
Watch out for pests and diseases
Besides not wanting an unkempt lawn to ruin the aesthetics of your backyard, longer grass blades can also become a haven for pests or diseases from waterlogged soil.
“Neglecting mowing at this time of year can see your lawn become unruly in a matter of weeks. Overgrown grass can trap moisture in the soil, which can breed diseases and attract pests, too,” explains Davis. “Long blades can create shelter against the elements for grubs and insects and even small rodents like voles and mice.
“Your grass and soil need adequate airflow to prevent fungal build-up which can suffocate the lawn and its roots, leaving brown patches behind,” said Davis. So before you pack away your mower this season, be sure to upkeep your grass with a much-needed trim in October.
For more top tips, check out these 5 fall lawncare tips you need to know for a healthy grass all year round. Plus, here’s how to store a lawn mower and protect it through the winter.
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