Caring For Your Lawn This Fall

The end of summer does not mean the end of your lawn's need for extra nurturing. In fact, fall is a good time to provide your lawn with the much needed fertilizer supplement, and weed control solutions. The leaves on your trees and shrubs may start turning brown, but it should not mean you let the coarse of nature take over passively. Though places like Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco, along with other areas in Florida, do not feel what others would call a full blown fall season, the effect on your lawn and plants are still relatively the same.

Giving sufficient amounts of lawn fertilizer during the fall increases the chances of having your grass in full bloom come spring time and all year round. It is recommended that you ask your local lawn care company to feed your lawn during early spring and before the first cold snap. Fertilizers are high in nitrogen and potassium, both of which are important for the recovery and nourishment of grass after the scorching summer heat. You can ask for slow-release fertilizers to avoid nitrogen seepage when the rain comes. Horticultural studies are now allotting much of their energy in formulating fertilizers that are less hazardous to the environment.

The cooler temperature also should not fool you in terms of the watering needs of your trees and shrubs, and your lawn. Water and fertilizers should always work together. Proper mixing of these two help in the proper propagation of roots in plants. In fact, root growth is quite active during the fall, even if you don't see a lot of activity up top. Water also helps control the concentration of weed killers you may have applied to your lawn.

On the topic of weeds, fall is also the season for specific weed growth, specifically, broad leaf, dandelion, and clover. These weeds are in the process of building up nutrients and starches during autumn in preparation for the coming cold. This also means that they are at the peak of absorbing nutrients from the ground, and giving them a dose of weed killers will ensure the death of these weeds.

Fall also brings a particular group of pests that can destroy your whole landscape. Some specific areas in Florida like Hillsborough often experience an attack of army worms, grubs, mole crickets, and chinch bugs. Army worms are actually the larva of moths and they heavily feed on turf grasses and St. Augustine grass. Grubs, on the other hand, are the larva of Japanese beetles and are often the first pests on site during fall. Mole crickets are night crawlers and attack after rain. An overtake of these insects can destroy your whole grass area in a day. Chinch bugs have the same damaging effect as well.

Ants and the occasional earthworm should not immediately send you running to grab your pesticide sprayer. Sometimes, the presence of these insects can benefit your lawn. Lawn care service companies should best handle infestations because misuse of insecticides and pesticides can ruin everything it touches, including the grass. Both residential and commercial services are provided by most lawn care companies, and pest and insect control is one service you shouldn't hold back on. Pests are not only hazardous to your lawn, but possibly to you and your family. You can first check your state or county Cooperative Extension Services so you have an idea of what to expect (or ask for) from the lawn care company.

Other lawn care services may include Natural Lawn Care, Organic Lawn Care, Tree and Shrub Care Services, landscaping, Power Seeding, and Mower Maintenance.