Fall is a great time of year for lawn care. After the heat of summer, all the cool weather promotes ideal growing conditions for your lawn. Aerating, seeding, and fertilizing in fall is key for a thick, healthy lawn.
Aerating your lawn in the fall is extremely valuable. The aeration process can alleviate soil compaction. This allows air, water, and fertilizer to reach the roots effectively. There are two types of aeration tools- spike aerators and plug aerators. The plug aerator is preferable, because it pulls out small plugs (or cores) of soil and thatch. In contrast, a spike aerator pokes holes into the soil and is not as effective at eliminating soil compaction. Before aerating, remove any obstacles that may be in the way and mark sprinkler heads if you have an irrigation system. This will help prevent damage that the aerator could cause. Aerating your lawn will promote deep root growth and result in a stronger, livelier lawn.
Your soil condition is key to growing healthy grass, so make sure you aerate at least once annually. 
After aerating, your lawn will have more ideal conditions for the seed germination process to take place.
Fall is the best time to plant cool-season grass seeds. Cool season grass seeds include Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Rough Bluegrass, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Creeping Fescue, Annual Ryegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass. Cool-season grass seed germinates best when soil temperatures reach 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit or once air temperatures are in the 60–75 degree Fahrenheit range. Depending on where you live, this will be in late August, September, or early October. A good rule of thumb is to plant cool-season grass seed at least 45 days before the estimated date of your first fall frost.
Once you have aerated and seeded, you will want to fertilize your lawn to help it survive well through the winter. Fall is the time of year when grass recovers from heat, drought, disease, and other stresses the summer season brings. Fertilization has many benefits. For instance, fertilizing your grass in the fall helps grass roots absorb as many nutrients as possible to stay healthy and strong through the winter. It also provides better coloring for your grass throughout both the winter and spring seasons.
Timing is crucial when it comes to late fall lawn fertilization. Applying fertilizer too early can encourage winter damage and mold growth due to snow, but you also don’t want to wait so long that the ground freezes. The best time to apply some slow-release granular fertilizer is when the grass has stopped growing or slowed down to the point you rarely need to mow. This usually takes place late in the fall season (before the first frost).
Aerating, seeding, and fertilizing in the fall will give your lawn what it needs to survive well through the winter months. Taking the time for fall lawn care is a worthwhile investment if you want strong and healthy grass.
For more of your fall lawn care needs, check out our store- On The Way Outdoor.
