Chewing The Cud: The Cahaba Tractor Corner
Caring for Your Lawn
During Fall and Winter
Fall is finally here, but don't pack away those garden tools just yet. Good lawn care doesn't end when your grass goes dormant for winter. Proper preparation now will ensure that your lawn has a strong, healthy root system for the cold weather season ahead.
Here's some simple steps to help your grass look its best next spring:
* Rake the grass to remove any lingering thatch. If the grass is severely compacted and contains thatch beyond 1/2 inch thick, aerate your lawn to protect it from disease and fungal problems during the winter months. Core aeration opens up spaces within the soil to improve airflow and receive nutrients from winter fertilizers and rain.
* Apply slow release "fall" fertilizer or broadleaf pre-emergent treatment to control weeds and feed your lawn's root system through winter and into early spring. Be sure to select products that are specifically for "winterizing." These products will have a higher potassium and phosphorous ratio to stimulate root and rhizome growth. It's best to fertilize early in the season, before the end of October, to keep the grass from continuing to grow as temperatures drop to freezing and possibly causing frost damage.
* Plug any bare spots with a grass plugger and topdress, if needed, with compost or sand.
* Overseed your lawn to maintain a greener lawn and inhibit weed growth. Winter rye grass is favored for its sturdiness and ability to grow rapidly in a wide range of soil types during cooler temperatures. In the South, annual winter rye grass is recommended since it will die out as the temperature climbs in the spring and your lawn begins to emerge from dormancy. Note: Due to the clumping nature of rye grass, be sure to apply evenly by hand or using a spreader. Water grass and keep fairly moist to help it germinate.
* Mow emerging grass to a height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Rake or mow with a mulching blade to keep falling leaves from smothering newly grown grass.
Caring for a lush, healthy lawn is a year round job, but the end results are worth the efforts.
Cahaba Tractor has all the implements you need, from spreaders to mowers, to make your work easier. Right now, you can purchase a Kubota Zero-Turn Mower and make no payments until April 2012! Come see us today!
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Here's Mud in Your Eye!
