The leaves are falling, the grass is dying, and homeowners everywhere are looking forward to the no-grass-cutting season. But don’t completely mark lawn care off your to-do list: the best spring and summer lawns actually start in the fall and winter.

Right now is the time where fall pre-emergents matter most. They’re the key to a lush, clean, weed-free lawn in the spring. Here’s what you should know about preparing for your spring lawn in the fall.

 

What are Fall Pre-Emergents?

Fall pre-emergents are herbicides designed to prevent weeds. Even though we’re heading into cooler weather, pre-emergents are applied in the fall because common weeds are easy to control during this time, but almost impossible to control in the spring.

And even though your grass may be going into hibernation, weeds will continue to grow in the fall and winter. In fact, fall and winter are when a lot of weeds will germinate again. Pre-emergents are applied before weeds have a chance to grow. This way, weeds never have a chance to appear. Your fall and winter lawn maintenance just got easier.

 

How to Use Pre-Emergents for the Best Spring Lawn

The window of opportunity to use pre-emergents will vary. But as the name implies, you’ll want to use a pre-emergent before weeds appear. (After that, you’ll want to use a post-emergent for your weed control.)

Typically, we recommend applying a pre-emergent between September and November. The temperatures are still waffling between warm and cool, but for the most part are staying around 70 degrees or less.

Paying attention to the temperature during this time is critical. If you miss the opportunity to apply fall pre-emergent, your lawn will be filled with weeds by February or March.

To use a pre-emergent, it helps to know what type of grass you have. Many pre-emergents will specify which types of grass they can (and shouldn’t) be used on. They will also specify what types of weeds they kill, so it’s also good to know the types of weeds you commonly encounter.

 

Other Fall Lawn Care Steps to Take Now

In addition to using a fall pre-emergent, now is a good time to take additional steps to improve your lawn this fall. We recommend the following:

 

Keep Cutting Your Grass

Don’t put your lawnmower away just yet! Even though your grass isn’t growing quickly, it will still grow a little until the first hard frost. Keep cutting your grass through the fall. Letting your grass get too long can leave it vulnerable to matting and other issues. Aim to keep it at roughly 2-3 inches high.

 

Remove Leaves

Leaves can trap moisture and debris, plus they block your lawn from receiving sunlight. This can put your healthy grass at risk of rot and decay, so remove leaves quickly and often.

 

Winterize Your Irrigation System

Whether you have a built-in irrigation system or rely on just a hose and sprayer, now is the time to flush your pipes to prevent freezing and bursting. However, you’ll want to continue watering your lawn if you aren’t getting at least an inch or two of rain each week.

Ready to treat your lawn this Fall?  Contact us today!