Now that summer’s heat is subsiding, your lawn may

be looking a little “tired,” to say the least. For exam-

ple, bluish-green coloring or footprints that linger in

your lawn are signs of heat and drought stress. If in-

sects or diseases are present, brown patches or

chewed grass blades may be visible. Other signs that

your lawn needs help are thinning turf and bare

spots throughout your yard.

Fall is a great time for renovating lawns. We encour-

age you to take full advantage of the favorable grow-

ing weather by having your lawn aerated and

overseeded this fall. New grass seed will have less

competition from weed seeds trying to grow. As the

days shorten and temperatures cool down, there will

be less heat stress on new turf. Plus, new grass

planted this fall will be mature enough by next spring

to tolerate any necessary weed control applications.

Aeration is the first step. Core aeration removes

plugs (or cores) of soil and thatch from your lawn,

making more room for air, water and fertilizer to

reach the roots. This will encourage a stronger,

deeper root system for healthier, greener growth

next spring. The cores left behind will dissolve on

your lawn through rainfall or sprinkling. As they dis-

solve, they will help to break down excess thatch

build up. Heavy thatch can promote fungus disease,

provide a home for turf-damaging insects and make

it more difficult for water and fertilizer to reach the

root system.

The next step is to overseed. Aeration becomes an

even more effective tool when combined with over-

seeding. As grass seed is broadcast over your lawn,

the holes left behind by aeration will “catch” some of

the seed. This will provide better seed-to-soil contact

for more successful germination rates. It’s an excel-

lent way to thicken up a thin lawn or add a hardier

type of grass to your yard.

It is also super important to fertilize your trees and

shrubs in the Fall. Most of the plants in your land-

scape will soon be shifting into dormancy, with top

growth slowing down or stopping all together.

Underground, however, they will still be very active.

In order to prepare for new growth in the spring, your

plants must build new roots and fatten them up with

nutrients. You can improve this process by making

sure they get a heavy dose of fertilizer in the Fall.

Give us a call today and book an appointment for Fall lawn renovation and fertilizing. We serve areas of Fairfield County, CT including Fairfield, Trumbull, Westport, Monroe, Milford, Shelton, Stratford and more!