The cooler fall and winter months are just around the corner, and your lawn has endured drought conditions and sizzling summer heat. That’s why it’s time to pay some extra attention to your lawn and prepare it for colder temperatures before the last seasonal mow. Our Tri-Cities lawn care experts at Promier Landscapes share on the blog today what you need to know about your last seasonal mow so that you can have a lush, green lawn come spring.
Before you mow
For the best lawn in the spring, several activities should take place before the grass enters hibernation. Our Kingsport lawn maintenance pros share below four important lawn care tasks that can help your property recover from harsh summer conditions and prepare it for upcoming cold conditions.
- Aerating and Dethatching – Dethatching your lawn can help remove the dead layer of grass stems, roots, and other plant material that collects on your lawn’s surface. Aerating your lawn removes small soil cores and deposits them on the top of your lawn. Both methods are effective for restoring proper sun exposure and water and nutrient absorption.
- Fertilizing – A soil test is best before fertilizing your lawn to determine the appropriate nitrogen content mix to use for optimal growth. Based on the results, purchase a nitrogen-rich fertilizer suitable for your lawn’s needs.
- Overseeding – Planting fresh grass seed during the fall months can reduce bald spots and increase thickness. Cool-weather grass typically keeps lawns greener longer.
- Leaf Control – Fallen leaves can create a nutrient-rich mulch. Therefore, if your lawn mower has a mulching option, use it as you mow over leaves. For areas with excess leaves, rake them up into a mulch pile or bag them for disposal. Piles of wet leaves increase your lawn’s chance of developing snow mold and choking out healthy grass after winter hibernation.
When you should stop mowing
Most East Tennessee homeowners can mow their lawns for the last time between mid-October and early December, depending on the type of grass and the weather. Typically, warm-season grass enters early dormancy during the early fall season, while cool-season grass may continue to grow into the early winter season. Our Bristol lawn care pros explain that your grass growth rate should slow when leaves begin falling off trees. However, continue to mow until the temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
What your grass height should be after you mow
There is a long-standing debate about the appropriate grass height after the last seasonal mow. Our Johnson City lawn care company explains that the last cut should leave the grass blades standing at a height of two inches, regardless of your lawn’s grass type. The length helps provide ground coverage, resist freezing, and reduce trapped moisture that leads to mold growth. Leaving the blades longer than two inches can reduce photosynthesis and prevent your grass from storing the sugar it needs to battle the severe winter temperatures.
After you mow
After mowing your property for the last time this season, it’s time to prepare your mower for storage. First, clean your mower and remove grass debris. Then, our Kingsport lawn care experts recommend removing the mower blades to get them sharpened before the next mowing season. Additionally, the end of the mowing season is an optimal time to address other mower concerns such as sticky cables, batteries, or pull strings. Once you prepare your lawn mower for storage, winterize irrigation lines to prevent them from bursting in freezing temperatures.
Lawn maintenance in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Preparing your lawn this fall for the upcoming winter months is vital to its health and recovery from a damaging hot summer. As the mowing season comes to a close, following the tips above can help you promote healthy growth in the spring. If you have questions about mowing your lawn for the last time this season, or you prefer to have someone do it for you, feel free to contact our Tri-Cities lawn maintenance pros at Promier Landscapes. Please call (423) 872-2988 or contact us online to schedule a lawn care appointment today.