The famous writer F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall”. It appears that he was definitely on to something. Fall is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. It’s so much more than just the transitional season between summer and winter. Professional landscapers in Brampton and throughout the GTA strongly recommend administering proper lawncare and garden maintenance in the fall to ensure healthy grass and plants in the spring. It’s all about planning your end-of-season residential and commercial landscaping carefully to ensure a fruitful post-winter return.
Fall property maintenance in Brampton should include the following.
Continue Mowing the Lawn
Some property owners mistakenly think that they can and should stop mowing the grass as soon as the temperatures start to drop. But that’s not the case. It’s important to keep mowing your grass so that it stays at an appropriate height. Grass that grows too long will start to mat and this can lead to fungal growth and disease. Long grass also harbours more moisture rather than completely absorbing it and this can cause mould to develop. Mould then gets trapped underneath the long blades of grass and continues to fester throughout the winter months.
Cutting the grass to 2-3 inches above the ground allows it to properly absorb moisture and nutrients, while also ensuring it gets enough sun exposure.
Aerate the Soil
Aerating your lawn using either a plug-in aerator or a rake will help your soil and grass absorb nutrients and moisture more easily in the fall and throughout winter. It also moves the soil around and prevents compaction, which hinders root development and oxygen absorption in soil. Compacted soil can also cause moisture buildup, which leads to mould and disease development.
Fertilize in the Fall
Fall is also the perfect time of year to fertilize your lawn in preparation for spring. The damp conditions make it easier for the grass to absorb nutrients from the fertilizer and gain enough strength to not only survive the winter months, but also thrive come spring.
Keep Watering Your Grass
As the temperatures start to rapidly drop in the fall, the ground loses moisture a lot faster than in the spring and summer. Hence, it’s important to continue watering your grass to maintain steady moisture levels.
Rake Fallen Leaves
Fallen leaves that remain on your grass will eventually get trapped under heavy blankets of snow and ice in the winter. This thick layer of organic matter can suffocate your grass as the ground freezes. Thatch prevents access to vital sunlight and nutrients, while trapping moisture underneath. This can lead to fungal growth all winter long and dead spots throughout your grass come spring. Raking fallen leaves and disposing of them is an effective preventative measure to keep your lawn healthy.
Get Weeds, Insects, and Lawn Diseases Under Control
Another important aspect of proper lawncare and property maintenance in Brampton is eliminating weeds, harmful insects, and lawn diseases before the ground completely freezes.
Weeds absorb vital nutrients, oxygen, and moisture that your lawn needs to survive the bitter cold winter months. Broadleaf weeds like dandelions can quickly take over your entire lawn in the fall. To prevent this from happening, pull the weeds out by their roots to get rid of them.
Grubs, which are scientifically known as beetle larvae, are another one of your lawn’s natural enemies. They’re difficult to detect because they live beneath the surface of the soil and feast on the roots of your healthy grass. There are a number of other pests including armyworms and chinch bugs that can also destroy your grass.
Signs that you might have a pest problem include:
- Brown spots
- Dead and dying patches of grass
- Wilted grass blades
- Bite marks on the grass
- Finding insects in your grass
- Holes in soil
Invasive weeds and insects can lead to harmful lawn diseases that are difficult to manage. When the problem starts at the grass roots, it can be a lot harder to identify, but keeping an eye out for the abovementioned signs of insect invasion is important and can end up saving your grass.
Get Professional Fall Garden, Lawncare, and Property Maintenance in Brampton
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a novice lacking a natural green thumb, FOREVER GREEN LAWN & LANDSCAPE INC. is here to offer our expertise to keep your lawn green and healthy. We specialize in lawncare maintenance as well as commercial and residential garden installation in Brampton and across the GTA. Contact us today to learn more.
