As fall leaves and temperatures begin to drop, now is the perfect time to get a jumpstart on a
beautiful, healthy spring lawn. We recommend the following fall treatments and services to
preserve and protect your lawn and irrigation systems.
Fall Clean-Up and Fertilization
Once Mother Nature’s gorgeous hues of autumn leaves flutter to the ground, it’s time to clean
up! Large amounts of dense leaves can smother grass and plants, grow fungus, become toxic to
certain plants, and are unsightly. Fall is also the perfect time to remove dead annuals, trim back
perennials, as well as address overgrown trees and shrubs. Our fall fertilization program is also
formulated to provide additional nutrients Midwest lawns need over winter to energize root
growth in the spring.
Core Aeration, Verticutting and Overseeding
Air, water and nutrients delivered to a lawn’s root system by core aeration in the fall is essential
to building a strong root system and a healthy, lush lawn come spring. Our region’s compacted,
clay soils drive the need for aeration. It’s the reason why area golf courses and sport turf
facilities aerate monthly. At a minimum, we recommend a core aeration in the fall for our
residential customers.
During core aeration, our lawn care specialists use a machine with rotating tines to punch small
holes in the lawn by removing small plugs of grass and soil. The plugs of soil that remain on the
lawn’s surface then go to work. They contain microorganisms that help to break down thatch –
a layer of roots, grass, leaves, etc. – that has built up on the soil’s surface over time. This soil
decompaction process allows air, water, nutrients and seed to more effectively work their way
below the surface, improving soil conditions, and ultimately strengthening your turf's root
system.
During verticutting, we use a machine with blades to slice rows into the soil after the lawn has
been seeded to improve seed to soil contact. New grass grows in more evenly (different from
more concentrated aerated patches).
In the Midwest, fall is also the perfect time to overseed a lawn. Grass seed germinates quickly
in the newly formed plugs of soil, ripe with air, water and nutrients. Protective overseeding
combined with optimal fertilization can produce a beautiful, lush lawn.
Which services do I choose? Let our experts evaluate the condition of your lawn and
recommend the service(s) that will produce the best results!
