Tall fescue is one of the most popular grasses in our area. If planted in the summer, it can suffer from excessive heat stress and seedling diseases. If planted too late in the fall, it may not be fully established before winter arrives. Seeding in winter or early spring doesn’t leave it time to develop the deep root system it needs to survive the hot summer. So ideally, September and October are the best time of the year to plant tall fescue.

Proper soil preparation is essential to establish a healthy fescue lawn. All debris like rocks and trees must be removed then the soil is analyzed to determine the necessary topsoil and fertilizer treatment.

After the soil is properly prepared seeding can begin. Tall fescue tends to thin out and periodically needs reseeding. New Leaf Landscape Services utilizes only the highest quality of fescue seed to ensure a healthy lawn that will enhance the beauty and value of our clients’ outdoor spaces.

A complete fertilizer treatment should be applied at six- to eight-week intervals from September to February and additional nitrogen can be applied at monthly intervals as well.

A dense, healthy turf is the best defense against weeds and pests, but herbicides are usually needed to control crabgrass in tall fescue lawns. Bermuda grass is also a common problem and sometimes a non-selective herbicide that kills all vegetation is required, with the treated area then renovated and reseeded.

Early fall provides the best opportunity to control perennial broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover in warm season grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia. As they prepare for winter by pulling nutrients from their leaves into their roots, they also draw herbicides into their root systems, which will eradicate them more effectively at this time of year. Actively growing grass will fill the bare spots created when the weeds die.

The buildup of thatch, living and dead grass roots and steps between the soil and green grass blades, is unattractive and can strangle a lawn. Soil compaction occurs as a lawn ages and sustains heavy use. This reduces the space in the soil that holds air, and since roots require oxygen to grow and absorb nutrients and water, a lack of air inhibits nutrient and water flow as well as root growth.

Aeration helps fight deterioration and poor top growth in several ways. It increases the activity of soil microorganisms that decompose thatch, enhances infiltration of rainfall or irrigation, helps prevent fertilizer and pesticide run off from overly compacted areas, and improves the water, nutrient, and oxygen movement necessary for a healthy lawn.

With so much to do in your yard to properly prepare for the coming months, fall is no time to sit back and watch football on TV – unless you let New Leaf Landscape Services handle these projects for you and keep your property looking its best all year round.