Winter isn’t here yet, and many New Hampshire homeowners still have plenty of lawn care to do. If you still have leaves in your yard, it’s important to get your lawn clear before it snows. Restarting your lawn maintenance from scratch in the spring is a lot of work, but you can make it much easier by doing a few simple things this fall. If you’ve been putting off cleaning up your yard, head to the Aubin Ace hardware store to pick up everything you need.
With these tips from the team at your local Ace Hardware store, your lawn will be ready for winter and next spring.
Leaf Removal
Removing the leaves from your grass does more than just make your yard look good. Fallen leaves block sunlight and trap moisture. Even in the fall, your lawn needs sunlight and air to stay healthy and continue to grow. If you rake your leaves, use a wide, flexible rake and rake in the direction of growth to avoid damaging the grass. If you use a leaf blower, start at the house and work out the edge of your lawn. Pay attention to wind direction, and where your property line ends so you don’t blow leaves onto your neighbors’ yards.
Mowing and Aerating
Mowing your lawn in the fall ensures that it is at the right height when the snow falls. You want the grass to be 2.5 to 3 inches to give it enough leaf surface to keep growing but to keep it short enough to prevent matting under the weight of the snow. Cutting the grass too short can damage the root system, making it difficult for the grass to withstand the cold winter weather.
Fall is also the ideal time to aerate your lawn. Aerating your lawn loosens compacted soil, improving drainage and airflow and creating space for new grass seeds to take root.
Watering and Fertilizing
Your lawn needs less water as the temperatures drop, but you shouldn’t stop completely until the ground freezes. Fertilizing your lawn in the fall will help it survive the winter and recover in the spring. You want to use a slow-release fertilizer with a balanced nutrient ratio. Soil testing can help you determine what your lawn needs. We have a wide selection of fertilizers, so we can help you find the perfect product for your lawn.
