Lawn care cycle (continues...)

Lawn care cycle - in the Fall:

This is the busiest time for lawn care and the busiest lawn care cycle. This lawn care cycle is also the best time for rehabilitating the lawn.  Intensive effort now means healthier lawn and less work for next lawn care cycle and lawn season.

Fall is the best time to routinely fertilize and deal with any broad leaf weeds that have invaded. To upgrade and maintain soil health you will want to incorporate aerating or adding a layer of organic matter, to the lawn soil. Fall is also the best time to add lime to your lawn soil.

Lawn care cycle - in the Winter:

Although, it's true that after all the work in the Fall, you will want to rest and take a break during the next lawn care cycle, winter time. However, there are two things you can do to improve the appearance and condition of your lawn in the future.

Cut the grass back a bit from the summer length of 2 or 3 inches to 1.5-2 inches, no higher. This removes the older parts of the blades made up of frost sensitive cells. Don't cut grass any shorter than 1.5-2 inches or you will harm it.

Try to avoid walking on the grass during the winter lawn care cycle. Turf that is wet, possibly even frosty, is easily damaged by foot traffic. The ice crystals that form inside cell membranes of grass plants in freezing weather damage the tissues when they are compressed by any weight on the lawn.