By: John Green Certified Texas Expert Gardener
Gardeners now is not the time to ignore the lawn and landscape, since what we do now will determine the quality of our yards next spring and summer. Most gardeners know that autumn is the time of year to plant flower bulbs, but this is also the perfect time of year (this gardener mutters much less when the outdoor temperatures are pleasant) for correcting lawn issues, such as dethatching, mulching, mowing, aerating, trimming, seeding, patching, weeding, or corralling leaves in the landscape. My preference is to utilize lawn care equipment to make lawn care chores easier and faster. Fallen leaves are often initially corralled using a leaf blower, then mulched, using a mower with mulching blades attached. This greatly reduces the number of hours to corral leaves manually through raking. Aerator attachments are easily fitted to many riding mowers allowing multiple chores to be accomplished simultaneously. Weed trimmers provide the landscapes’ “finesse” increasing the aesthetic to make the lawn and focal points tidy.
Time outdoors performing lawn care chores is highly enjoyable to me, especially during the fall and winter months and to this point, it is important to take care of the lawn and landscape, especially if (like me) it provides your family with enjoyment, and comfort for family, friends, and wildlife. Utilize the checklist below as a guide to ensure the lawn is ready for outdoor fun and relaxing activities for spring.
MOWING
- Shorter grass height allows grass to become more disease resistant and remember that fewer leaves will become entangled in shorter grass (an added benefit).
- Refrain from cutting the grass too low which can cause damage if more than one third of the grass blade is removed during a single cutting. Put mower blades on the lowest settings for the last two cuts of the season.
AERATION
- Compressed soil is detrimental to lawn health. Aeration presses holes into the soil which allows oxygen, water and nutrients into the soil.
- Utilize a walk-behind aerator or purchase an attachment to pull behind a riding mower.
MULCH
- Most mowers have mulching blades (two off-set stacked blades which double cut grass blades or leaves).
- A mower with mulching blades mixes grass clippings with leaf particles which are nitrogen-rich grass particles and carbon-rich leaf particles that will compost together returning nutrients to the soil more quickly.
PRUNE
- Remove diseased limbs and crossed branches from trees and shrubs using a lopper, chainsaw, or pruner. Reach out to a professional for large trees or difficult to access spots…Remember: Safety First!
REPAIR
- Use a garden rake, or thatch remover to loosen the soil where seeding is necessary.
- An easy way to accomplish this is using an all-in-one lawn repair mixture (found at most local garden centers).
WINTERIZING
- Drain fuel lawn equipment (mower, leaf blower, weed trimmer) fuel tanks before storing them for winter.
- Service outdoor power equipment before storing, since taking simple steps now can ensure that in the springtime, the equipment will be ready for work.
- Remove dried, caked-on dirt with a wire brush, then rinse with water, and dry thoroughly (initially soaking in water will speed the process).
- Sharpen dull tools with a file, working at a 45-degree angle, beginning at the outer edge and working toward the center.
- Sand rust spots with steel wool, followed by fine sandpaper, then coat the metal surfaces with vegetable oil.
- Apply a light coating of linseed oil (paste wax can also be used) on wooden handles to prevent cracking, splitting, and preserving them.
- Store hand trowels, and numerous other small tools in a bucket of sand soaked in oil to deter rust. Hang rakes and shovels in easily accessible locations.
- Garden hoses should be removed from the weather, and drained, then coiled. Repair leaks with a hose repair kit which are available at local home and garden centers. Note: hoses are easily and quickly repaired, so there’s no need to buy a new hose! Leaky fittings are quickly replaced with minimal time, money and effort.
- Mower blades need to be cleaned and sharpened since plant residue encourages rust.
Fall is here and winter is rapidly approaching, and as many gardeners diligently prepare the garden for cold weather. Hopefully, you’ve already planted cover crops, applied a fresh layer of mulch and prepared cold frames and gardens for winter greens. A little winter prep will certainly pay off when spring arrives, but don’t forget that garden tools need some TLC!
Until next time fellow gardeners, let’s go out and grow ourselves a greener and more sustainable world, one plant at a time! Please send your gardening questions to: jongreene57@gmail.com.
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