Fall is an important season for lawn care. Between building your turf back up from summer stress to strengthening it for winter survival, there’s one practice that can help accomplish both. Learn about the many benefits of fall fertilizing to restore and enhance your grass.

Benefits of Fall Fertilizing

Fertilizing your grass gives it the nutrients it needs to support deep root growth, which in turn makes it stronger, more resilient, and attractive. Here’s why fall is one of the best seasons to apply a slow-release fertilizer to your lawn:

• Boosts energy to help grass recover from summer’s heat and dormancy.
• Fall is considered the most important application of the growing season due to the critical roll the fertilizer plays in carbohydrate reserves, fall recovery and to ensure the turf ecosystem hardens off to prepare for upcoming winter.
• By applying in the fall, nutrients are absorbed and stored in the soil since the plants aren’t actively growing. This reduces the risk of fertilizer being washed away before spring growth.
• Provides nutrients,  like potassium, to store throughout the harsh winter conditions, making grass less susceptible to damage and disease.
• Once restored and strengthened, grass is able to absorb the water and nutrients it needs to be lush and green come spring.
• A thick, lush, healthy lawn is more likely to crowd out weeds.

With so many benefits, why not take advantage of the moderate temperatures and fertilize your lawn this fall. Enjoy the crisp weather and colorful trees while treating your yard to something that can sustain it throughout the seasons. If you’re taking the time to invest in the health of your lawn, get the most out of your efforts by fertilizing the right way.

How to Fertilize in the Fall

Even though fall is an ideal time to fertilize, there are still some conditions to keep in mind for the most effective application.

1. Apply fertilizer in late September to early October. This give the nutrients enough time to properly reach the roots before the ground freezes.
2. Avoid the warmest part of the day by applying fertilizer in the morning or early evening.
3. Use a slow-release or organic fertilizer to continually provide the right amount of nutrients throughout the winter.
4. The right formula depends on your plant’s growth stage. For lawns, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer is often best.

By fortifying your lawn in the fall, you’ll help restore grass after a harsh summer, maintain health over the dormant winter, and reinvigorate growth when it wakes in the spring. Contact Green Image Lawn Care to learn about our lawn care services that include an optimal fertilizer blend for sustaining your grass throughout the winter and well into the spring.