As September arrives and summer heat fades, it’s time to shift your lawn care routine to prepare your grass for the cooler, wetter months ahead. Bayou Verde, your trusted landscape company in metairie, is here to guide you with essential tips that will keep your yard lush, resilient, and healthy this season.
Start with Soil Preparation and Aeration
Fall is the perfect season to give your lawn the foundational support it needs. Over the hot summer, soil often becomes compacted, making it difficult for water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots. Aeration helps relieve compaction, encourages growth, and improves nutrient uptake. Once your lawn is aerated, consider applying a light top-dressing of compost or a balanced fertilizer high in potassium—this will strengthen your grass for the upcoming winter and help it rebound vigorously in spring.
Overseed to Renew Thin or Bare Patches
Even small bare spots in your yard can expand quickly when left unaddressed. September’s cooler temperatures and increased rainfall create ideal conditions for seeding. Choose a grass seed that matches your existing turf. Rake the area gently to loosen soil, spread seeds evenly, then press them lightly into the ground. Keeping new areas consistently moist during the first two weeks is critical for healthy establishment.
Fertilize with a Slow-Release, Balanced Formula
Fall fertilization is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most rewarding treatments for a lawn. A slow-release fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus fuels root development, enhances disease resistance, and boosts winter hardiness. This step helps your grass recover from summer stress while preparing it for the next season.
Maintain Proper Mowing Practices
Even in September, proper mowing remains essential. Keep your turf at a moderate height—usually around 2.5 to 3 inches depending on the grass type. Cutting too short can stress your lawn and invite weeds. Use sharp blades to avoid tearing, and vary your mowing pattern to reduce compaction and encourage upright growth.
Tackle Weeds Before They Set Seed
Fewer weeds appear in fall, but they can establish roots for spring. Now is the time to apply a targeted treatment or pull weeds by hand. Many pre-emergent herbicides applied in late summer or early fall prevent unwanted growth like poa annua and crabgrass.
Adjust Your Irrigation Strategy
With fall’s cooler evenings and reduced evaporation, your watering schedule should shift too. Lawns generally need about one inch per week, often supplied by rainfall. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage stronger roots.
Prepare for Seasonal Pest and Disease Challenges
Although pests and disease decrease with cooler temperatures, some—like brown patch fungus—can still be a problem in fall. Keep your lawn mowed, remove excess debris, and water in the mornings to reduce nighttime moisture.
Ready to Set Your Lawn Up for Success?
By focusing on essential lawn care practices—aeration, overseeding, balanced fertilizer application, mowing, weed control, and irrigation—you’re setting your yard and grass up for long-term success. Bayou Verde, the trusted landscape company in metairie, is ready to guide you every step of the way.
— Call us today to schedule your fall lawn care assessment and make your yard the neighborhood showcase this spring!