Get a Plan For Your Fall Yard Maintenance Going Now
Fall is finally here. Soon, we’re going to see the leaves change color and start to fall. We all know that means raking leaves will be a thing, but that’s not the only fall yard maintenance projects to worry about. There are several other chores to be done if you want to make sure your business’s yard is in good condition, because if you don’t, it will create a mess in spring. So, let’s take a look.
Your Commercial Fall Yard Maintenance Tasks
1. Lawn Mowing
You might eased off on the mowing during the summer, since the hot, dry weather kept the grass from growing much. Well, we’ve had quite a few good rain storms since then and the grass is kicking it into high gear. That means you’re going to need to start mowing again. You’ll want to cut the grass at a lower setting than during the summer so that there’s less blade for the roots to maintain over winter when the snow falls. Plan to do this weekly until the snow falls.
2. Aeration
There are two times when it’s good to aerate your yard: fall and spring. Spring aeration is to help decompress the soil after heavy snow has sat on it all year. In fall, you aerate so that you can decompress the soil from all the foot traffic that may have walked on it over the whole rest of the year. It may not always be necessary in the fall if you’ve kept foot traffic off the grass, but it never hurts. Schedule a time to do it at least once during the fall season.
3. Reseeding and Fertilizing
While grass can survive the heat pretty well, even in dry weather, by going dormant, it still takes a beating every summer. Some grass may die, leaving you with a sparser lawn than you want. Early fall is the best time to reseed your lawn because it provides optimal growing conditions for grass. While reseeding, don’t forget to apply fertilizer so that your new grass has the best chance of growing strong before the snow comes.
4. Dethatching
Over time, dead grass accumulates over the soil. This is called thatch. While a small amount of thatch isn’t bad, it eventually builds up too thick and blocks sun, water, and nutrients from reaching the soil. Dethatching can be an alternative to aeration if you haven’t had too much foot traffic on it, or you can do both. Either way, it’s important to keep the thatch from getting too thick, so make sure you don’t let your lawn go too long without this being done.
5. Pruning and Removing Dead Plants
You may want to do a bit of light pruning before winter, but be careful not to overdo it. Spring is the best time for deeper pruning, but it would be a good idea to remove any dead branches from your trees and shrubs. Any dead trees or shrubs you find on your property should be removed, as the weight of snow can break their branches off, creating a mess of your yard come spring.
6. Leaf Removal
Yes, you all knew this was coming. The trees are going to drop their leaves. You can’t leave them on lawn over winter. It becomes a haven for pests and fungus, and the extra weight and heat from rot can suffocate the grass. While you’re raking up the lawn, don’t forget to clear out the gutters. Leaves, sticks, and other fall debris can clog up the drainage, leading to flooding in the spring when the snow melts.
Need Help With Your Fall Yard Maintenance?
CV Lawn King specializes in commercial landscaping and yard maintenance. If you find your business needs some extra help getting your yard in top condition before winter, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Don’t wait, though; our schedule can fill up quickly. Get in touch today and see what we can do for you.