LAWN CARE GUIDE
FALL
FALL LAWN CARE GUIDE
Proper lawn care practices are essential for creating healthy, attractive, and sustainable lawns in the greater Richmond, VA area. Follow these helpful Fall-time tips for a beautiful lawn.
Fall is without a doubt the best time of year for lawn care. As temperatures ease off, it becomes the ideal time for growing a new stand of grass after aeration and overseeding and also for repairing and nourishing your existing lawn after our extremely hot and humid summers. Below you will find some helpful tips on caring for your lawn during the fall season.
Fall Aeration and Overseeding:
Many of our customers choose to take advantage of our fall aeration and overseeding services, which are key to helping lawns recover from summer stress. Aeration allows for better air and water penetration, while overseeding thickens the lawn, enhancing its overall health and appearance. To learn more about maximizing these services, please visit our Fall Aeration and Overseeding Guide [link]. DIY lawn care enthusiasts can find detailed guidance in our comprehensive blog post here [link]. If you choose to forgo aeration and overseeding this year, please continue reading for tips on how to best care for your existing lawn during the fall.
Watering Your Lawn in the Fall:
Even if you didn't choose to aerate and overseed your lawn this year, remember that adequate irrigation is still crucial. Your lawn requires at least 1 inch of water weekly up until Thanksgiving. Inadequate watering can lead to a weakened lawn less able to withstand winter stress. For those who have opted for aeration and overseeding, we offer detailed instructions to maximize the benefits of this treatment. Please click here for specific guidance on watering your lawn after aeration and overseeding.
Fall Lawn Mowing Tips:
Don't be too quick to store your lawn mower as the temperatures drop. Continuing to mow as long as you notice consistent grass growth is essential for maintaining lawn health. Gradually lower your mowing height to 3 inches but avoid cutting any shorter to protect your lawn's root system. For those with a bagging lawnmower who wish to collect leaves, feel free to do so, but remember to slightly raise your mower deck. The goal is to remove only the leaves, not the grass, to prevent nutrient loss. Contact us if you need more mowing advice as the season progresses.
Fall Leaf Removal:
Removing leaves from your lawn is an essential task in fall lawn care. Allowing leaves to stay on your lawn for more than 3-4 days can block sunlight, retain moisture, and lead to grass diseases. As the year ends, make sure every leaf is cleared from your lawn to prevent bare patches come spring. We recommend using a leaf blower for this task, as rakes can damage the grass crown. Consider composting the collected leaves for an eco-friendly disposal method.
Winterize Your Irrigation System:
Schedule the shutdown of your irrigation system around Thanksgiving to ensure your lawn gets sufficient water throughout the fall. Early system shutdowns, often due to irrigation companies' scheduling conflicts, can harm your lawn. If you don’t have an irrigation system, remember to gather your sprinklers, drain your garden hoses, and store them in a warm, dry place over winter to avoid damage from freezing temperatures.
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If you have any questions or concerns about your lawn, please don't hesitate to contact us. Whether you are currently a customer or not, we are here to help answer any lawn care questions you may have. Proper lawn care practices are essential for creating healthy, attractive, and sustainable lawns in the greater Richmond area. Being responsible environmental stewards is at the core of our business model at Turf Professors. We believe in supporting our community with expert advice and services to foster lush, eco-friendly landscapes.
FALL AERATION & OVERSEEDING GUIDE
Seed germination is a process that requires patience, along with a diligent watering program. We provide essential nutrients, fertilizers, and a sufficient amount of grass seeds to establish a healthy and attractive lawn.
The following are some helpful tips on how to get the most out of your service:
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Leave the soil plugs created by the aerator undisturbed. These clumps of dirt, along with the holes in the soil, serve as natural seedbeds that will disappear over time.
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Please remove fallen leaves as soon as possible. Leaves left on your lawn for more than 3 days can smother newly sprouted grass seedlings. While a leaf blower is best, be very cautious using a rake, as it may uproot new grass seedlings.
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Don’t be concerned if you notice some weeds emerging in your new lawn. Aeration can open up the soil and cause some weeds to emerge. However, it is more important to establish the grass than to focus on weed control at this time. We will address the weeds during the final application of the year and again throughout next spring.
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Please be patient and diligent with your watering program. Germination can take 21 days or longer—do not stop watering during this period. Seedlings are prone to drying out and dying because they are not rooted in the soil. Please pay extra attention to areas along the road and sidewalks, which tend to dry out much faster.
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After your second mow, resume your normal watering schedule. This should consist of 2-3 times per week, preferably in the early morning, and using deep watering. Once you resume this regular watering routine, you should maintain it until Thanksgiving. During this period, your lawn requires approximately 1 - 1.5” of water per week.
FALL AERATION & OVERSEEDING WATERING GUIDE
This information is a general outline of your post-aeration and overseeding watering schedule. Please don’t use this information as a verbatim schedule of events. Every lawn is different. Take this information and adapt it to your specific lawn, adjusting your watering times to meet your lawn's specific needs.
WEEK
1
Please water 2-3 times daily until a very light puddle forms. Begin watering immediately after your service is completed. The soil must remain damp to the touch without becoming soggy.
WEEK
2
Keep watering! Once a few blades of grass begin to emerge, this is when the new grass is in its most fragile state. Continue watering 2-3 times daily, ensuring the soil remains consistently damp. Strive to keep the top 1/2” of the soil damp. If conditions appear excessively muddy or water seeps when pressure is applied to the ground, decrease your watering slightly. If you notice grey, chalky areas, please increase the watering duration or frequency for those specific areas. Keep a close eye on the edges of street and sidewalks, as these areas tend to dry out quickly and may require more frequent watering.
WEEK
3
With proper watering, you should be seeing new grass germination across your lawn. This does not mean you should stop watering. The grass is still very fragile. Once all of the new seedlings have reached a height of 2 inches, you can decrease your watering to once or twice daily. The soil still must remain damp throughout the day!
WEEK
4
By now, you should see a green haze across your lawn as the new grass really starts to take off. Don’t worry if some areas appear to be slightly thin. Each blade of grass represents an entire plant that will mature over time. You can dial back your watering to once or twice a day. A light watering in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon is usually an effective course of action. Shaded yards may only require watering once a day at this stage, whereas full sun yards may still require watering twice daily.
WEEK
5
Once your lawn reaches a height of 4.5 inches, it’s time for a mow. The lawn may look shaggy and overgrown, but this is what we want. Set your mower height to 3.5 inches, make sure your blades are razor-sharp, and go for it. Once you have completed your first mow, you can reduce watering to once a day.
WEEK
6
By now, your lawn should be filling in nicely. After you have completed the first mow, it will encourage the lawn to push growth. Keep watering once per day and mow when necessary. After your second mow, please resume a normal watering program of early morning watering 2-3 days a week. Your lawn will need approximately 1.5” of water, per week, from now up until Thanksgiving.
WEEK
4
After performing our core aeration and overseeding service, our team will promptly apply a 100% organic bio-stimulant. This specially formulated product serves multiple purposes, such as enhancing seed germination, unlocking soil nutrients, and introducing a variety of beneficial soil microbes. These steps are crucial for revitalizing and naturally improving soil quality. This included application goes beyond the basic requirements to achieve acceptable results; instead, it maximizes the overall outcome of our service.