Autumn Checklist: Is Your Georgia Yard Ready For Winter?

It’s November already, that means mild temperatures have settled in and our landscapes are in full autumn mode. If you’re a homeowner, fall means a lot of work. Follow the fall maintenance tips below so your yard will look great next spring.

Get The Leaves Off of Your Grass

Fall leaves look wonderful on the trees and when they blanket your yard. However, when leaves cover your grass they block sunlight and trap in moisture. This can create ideal conditions for mold and lawn diseases that can damage your lawn. It’s important to get out and rake up the leaves or mulch them up and use them as fertilizer.

Fertilizing Your Lawn During Winter

Soil nutrients are naturally occurring in our yard, but levels can vary depending on where you live. Plants absorb water and nutrients through their root systems and send it up through the rest of the plant. When soil nutrients are out of balance it can affect the way your plants grow. When soil pH is out of balance it means your soil is either too acidic or too alkaline.

The type of soil found throughout the state of Georgia is ultisol. Ultisol is red, acidic clay that typically lacks nutrients and the only thing that can grow well in it are a variety of southern pine trees. Red clay soils are not well aerated and must often be supplemented with fertilizers and additives in order to support a variety of plants and trees. Acidic soils prevent plants from absorbing potassium and phosphorus and must be balanced with lime.

Types of Nutrients In Fertilizers

When choosing a fertilizer you should always check the N-P-K value of the product. This tells you how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is in the fertilizer.

Nitrogen (N): Initiates rapid growth in green plants. Don’t overdo it. Too much nitrogen can cause fruit trees to stop production on fruit and focus on their leaves. 

Phosphorus (P): Is an element that focuses on the root, flower, fruit, and seed development. When your plants don’t get enough phosphorus they will appear weak and vulnerable. 

Potassium (K): improves overall plant growth. Fertilizers high in potassium content have the most visible impact on plants. 

Fall Weed Control

Keeping your grass well fertilized and healthy will naturally prevent weeds from growing. But weeds are pesky and persistent and they will always find a way into your yard. Now is the time to attack any weeds you see in your yard. Weeds that go to seed in the fall will spread thousands of seeds across your yard. These seeds will wait until spring returns and will quickly grow and overtake your grass. Nipping these weeds in the bud now will pay off in the spring. 

Clean Out Your Gutters

Whatever you do, don’t forget about the unsung hero of your home. I’m talking about your gutters and downspouts. Your gutters play a huge role in protecting your home from water. Maybe you have seen buildings without gutters when it rains. The water drips off the roof with such force that it erodes a trench all the way around the foundation. Over time, this can cause cracks in your foundation and leaks in your basement. And that’s just the beginning. Up on top of your roof, water can back up under the shingles, damaged wood, and eventually make its way into your home. Gutters are often overlooked but keeping them clean can save you a boatload of money.

Aerate Your yard

Fall is the time to aerate your yard and get it prepared for next year. Core aeration is a process used to alleviate compact soil. Compact soil can occur naturally over time from frequent use. This prevents grass from getting the water, air, and nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy. Aeration fixes this problem by pulling up tiny plugs of sod and loosening up the soil. Aeration is one of the most beneficial things you can do to your lawn at the end of the season.

Hire The lawn Care Experts at Environmental Turf Management

Weeds can be a big problem in Georgia at any time of the year. At  Environmental Turf Management, we know how hard it is dealing with weeds. That’s why we take the hard work out of your hands so you can spend your time doing what you want to do. 

Give us a call at (770) 466-0234 for more information on how you can get started. You can also request an easy quote here. For more monthly tips on all things lawn care, check out our blog and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for our current deals and news.