As summer winds down and we transition into the early days of fall, maintaining a vibrant and healthy yard can present unique challenges. The months of August and September often bring a mix of heat, humidity, and the onset of cooler nights, creating specific needs for your landscape.
As professional landscapers, we are here to provide you with expert tips to keep your yard looking its best during this critical period.
1. Adjust Your Watering Schedule
With August’s heat still bearing down and September’s variable weather, it’s essential to adjust your watering routine. Early morning is the optimal time to water your lawn and plants, allowing them to absorb moisture before the sun’s heat causes rapid evaporation. Aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Be mindful not to overwater, as this can lead to fungal issues and root rot.
2. Maintain Lawn Health
As temperatures fluctuate, your lawn may experience stress. To help it recover and thrive:
- Mow Appropriately: Set your mower blade to a higher setting to ensure your grass remains taller. Taller grass shades the roots, reduces weed growth, and retains soil moisture.
- Aerate: If your lawn has compacted soil, consider aerating it. This process involves perforating the soil with holes to improve air, water, and nutrient penetration. Mass Lawn Pros provides aeration services to support you, learn more here.
3. Address Weeds and Pests
The end of summer can also be prime time for weed and pest activity. Regularly inspect your yard for any signs of infestation:
- Weed Control: Hand-pull weeds or use a targeted herbicide to manage them. Mulching around plants can also help suppress weed growth. If you missed your spring mulch, we can get you back on track with our mulching services so your yard looks its best.
- Pest Management: Look out for common pests such as grubs or aphids. Use organic or chemical treatments as needed, and consider introducing beneficial insects to control pests naturally.
4. Prune and Deadhead Plants
Deadheading—removing spent blooms—encourages many plants to produce new flowers. Additionally, prune back any overgrown or damaged branches to improve airflow and prevent disease. Be cautious with pruning late in the season; some plants benefit from a light trim, while others should be left to naturally prepare for winter.
5. Prepare for Fall Planting
August and September are excellent times to plant fall-blooming perennials and shrubs. The soil is still warm, which promotes strong root development before winter sets in. Consider planting species such as asters, mums, and ornamental grasses to add color and texture to your yard.
6. Fertilize Wisely
As growth slows down, reduce the frequency of fertilization. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients without encouraging excessive growth that can weaken plants heading into winter. At Mass Lawn Pros we provide fertilizing services that are catered to New England’s common lawn issues, including problems linked to hot, moist summers. We know what it takes to breathe new life into lawns that need serious TLC and we offer maintenance services to help you keep your lawn in pristine condition.
7. Clear Debris and Prepare for Cooler Weather
Remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from your yard to prevent mold and pest issues. Begin preparing your garden beds for cooler weather by adding a layer of mulch to insulate the soil and conserve moisture.
8. Check Irrigation Systems
With the change in weather, it’s a good time to inspect and adjust your irrigation system. Ensure that sprinklers and drip lines are functioning properly and adjust the settings as needed to accommodate the cooler, wetter weather of fall.
9. Get on our schedule so we can keep your yard looking great year-round!
We’d love to support you and your lawn to ensure the time you spend outside is on enjoying your yard instead of working on your yard. Mass Lawn Pros is the New England region’s top choice when it comes to high-quality and reliable services. Consider getting a quote for our popular Lawn Maintenance Services. This program includes our comprehensive range of lawn support services to help your lawn and garden shine. Lawn maintenance helps look after one of your property’s most precious assets. You can rely on the Mass Lawn Pros to take care of your yard’s mowing and edging needs when you need high-quality routine maintenance.
Our lawn-focused residential maintenance can include a variety of services:
- Lawn fertilization – The first step to a lush, green lawn is dedicated lawn seeding services. We’re proud to be a local landscaping authority when it comes to fertilization and seeding, offering everything from extensive lawn renovations to simple touch-up lawn green patches.
- Lawn enhancement – Contact our team to arrange for enhancement services if you want to ensure that your lawn remains healthy and green over the years.
- Lawn aeration – This procedure of making holes or pockets in the grass and soil, also known as “core aeration,” aids the roots in obtaining the maintaining and nourishing nutrients they require.
- Additional lawn services also include sod installation and full lawn growth strategies, such as regular lawn mowing and watering tips.
