November is here and oftentimes we do not think about our lawns. We assume that we are done for the year and hang up our rakes. We are here to tell you that there are several steps you can take with your lawn now to help it survive the harsh winter and be ready for the spring. Follow this month's Timely Tips to grow a healthy lawn next spring.
Storm Recovery
Many homes and families were greatly affected by the recent storm. We want to send out our thoughts to those people affected and wish them a safe and speedy recovery from this disaster. We have been receiving questions from homeowners wondering how they can salvage their lawns after this storm. Once the water has receded from the lawn remove any debris and silt that may remain. This will allow sunlight to reach the ground. Irrigate the lawn thoroughly with fresh water to try and remove any residual salt. You can aerate the lawn to try and introduce air back into the soil. Salt can affect the soil pH so apply gypsum to try and neutralize the soil.
Leaf Coverage and Lawn Mowing
Be sure you remove any wet leaves or heavy leaf and debris coverage from the lawn. Leaves can smother the lawn and prevent sunlight from reaching the grass. If you did a late fall seeding be sure to keep the new grass moist so it does not dry out. Consistently watering your lawn now will help to maximize root growth before the winter arrives. Continue mowing your lawn as needed up until Thanksgiving. Lower the mower blade height slightly each time you mow until eventually the grass blades are 1.5 inches high. Mowing through the late fall will help the lawn continue to grow and strengthen before the harsh cold settles in and help to deter snow mold.
Follow these steps to extend the life of your lawn mower and ensure it is ready for the spring:
1. Be sure you always disconnect the spark plug before doing any work on the mower. 2. Run the mower until the fuel tank is empty. Keep the tank empty until you need it next spring. If there is an oil tank empty that as well and dispose of properly. 3. Use a soft brush and hot, soapy water to remove any grease and leftover materials in the mower. 4. Use steel wool to remove any rust that has formed. Be sure you wear gloves! 5. Remove the mower blade and have it sharpened for next spring. 6. Clean or replace the air filter.
Could your lawn use some magic?
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If your lawn has not been successful in the past it may be that your soil pH is unbalanced. Too many leaves on the lawn can make the soil acidic and unfavorable for grass growth. Apply Mag-I-Cal Calcium Fertilizer now to help balance the soil pH. Mag-I-Cal is a form of soluble calcium that is readily available for plant uptake and releases trapped nutrients in the soil. The freezing and thawing of the ground this time of year will to work the Mag-I-Cal into the ground and help your lawn to flourish in the spring. Be sure to check with your local extension agent to see if there are any fertilizer application cut-off dates in your area.
For more fall lawn advice and helpful hintsclick here!
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