TIP #1- By fertilizing your lawn this fall, you will be making an investment in your lawn's root system that will reap considerable returns. Two or three applications of fertilizer between September and December will provide your lawn with the nutrients that it needs to develop a deep, strong root system. This will enhance -your lawn's ability to draw water from the soil so that it survives the winter and thrives next spring.

Tip #2 - Aeration is a process of removing soil cores from your lawn to help improve water and air movement in the soil. The improved air and water movement aids in strengthening your lawn's root system and reduces soil compaction. Aeration also reduces thatch (that layer of organic material beneath your grass blades but above the soil level) by encouraging microorganism activity which decomposes thatch. The best time to aerate is in the fall. However, aeration will provide maximum benefit to your lawn if it is performed again in the spring. We recommend that lawns with thatch build up over 1/2 inch -or compacted soil (from pets, people, lawn mower traffic or just heavy clay soils) should be aerated- in fall and spring. Aeration is a key practice that will help you maintain a thicker, more competitive lawn which in the end reduces weeds and keeps the lawn greener... plus increases the efficiency of the water getting to your plant's root system.

Tip #3 - Clean up & mow. Keeping a lawn free of debris and mowing properly are critical, especially going into the winter. To prepare your lawn for winter, rake up leaves no more than two weeks after they fall to prevent stress from suffocation and lack of light. Waiting to clean up all the leaves at one time can result in damage to your lawn which results in dead spots requiring seeding the following spring. Once all of your leaves are cleaned up, you should mow the lawn one final time after it stops growing. This final mowing can be at a reduced mowing height of 2 to 2 1/2 inches.

Tip #4 - Seeding should be done if your lawn is thin or if you wish to sow in new grasses due to poor color or diseases and is most effective when performed in the fall. The second best time to seed is in the spring as soon as you are able to get out between the spring rain storms to properly prepare the soil and seed the bare areas. As with most projects, the preparation is the key to the success... and takes the most time. Proper seeding includes preparation of the soil, choosing high quality seeds selected for the specific needs of your lawn, and applying the right rate of seeds. Once the seeding is complete, water is the critical element! Keeping the seed moist at all times is vital to ensure that the seedlings develop. One day of dry conditions for a young seedling can result in death and the unraveling of all of your hard work in preparation for a better lawn.