Service Area: Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Ladysmith.

Time seems to be passing quickly. We are already heading into the last month of fall. The holiday season will be here very soon. There are still a few “chores” to do in your yard and garden before you put it to bed for the winter. If you have any questions or would like some advice, please contact us.

Your lawn needs BOTH a Fall Fertilizer and a Winterizer Fertilizer.

Fall fertilization is a 2-step process. The first step is a Fall Fertilizer that is applied in late summer to mid fall. The second step, perhaps the most important step, is a Winterizer Fertilizer applied in late fall to early winter. Each fertilizer application has a different combination of nutrients designed to work together to create a thick, healthy, green lawn and prepare your grass for the cold winter and early spring ahead.

After a harsh summer the grass is dormant, and the roots have shriveled. Fall fertilizer provides needed nutrition for healthy, green growth. Most importantly fall fertilizer stimulates new and deeper root growth. The majority of the entire year’s root growth happens in the fall. This fertilizer also prepares the roots to receive additional nutrients from the winterizer fertilizer later in the fall.

Winterizer Fertilizer does not produce additional grass growth but instead concentrates on giving the roots the proper nutrients to resist winter injury and disease and to strengthen the roots to be able to survive the winter. This fertilizer feeds the new roots. The roots will also store the nutrients that encourage thick, rapid growth in the spring. Winterizer will allow your grass to maintain some green color over winter, while providing an early green up of your lawn in the spring.

Fall Leaf Removal

Fall leaves are beautiful on your trees, not so much on your lawn. Aesthetics aside, a thick layer of unshredded leaves left on top of your grass over the winter can cause problems for the health and growth of your lawn. They become an impenetrable, moldy mat that will smother the grass and block the water and sunlight needed for photosynthesis.

If the leaves in your yard are scattered and cover less than 20% of your lawn, you do not need to remove them, unless you want a neater appearance. However, if they cover a larger area you should manage your leaves. There are several options:

1. As long as you can still see most of the grass you can use your lawn mower on the leaves. About once per week, as the leaves are still falling but before they accumulate into a thick layer, you can mow over your leaves, preferably with a mulching mower. It may take several passes over dry leaves to chop them into tiny pieces that can stay on your lawn and filter down through the grass blades. As they decompose, they will add nutrients into the soil.

You may also use a bagger attachment on your mower. Add the collected chopped leaves to your garden and flower beds as mulch or to your compost pile.

2. Raking and blowing leaves is another option. This can be a strenuous and time-consuming job. The leaves can be collected and removed from your lawn, blown into the woods or used elsewhere on your property, now or in the spring.

3. If you need assistance with your leaves, Grass Roots offers Leaf Management Services. Please contact us with questions or for information.

Leaves can be an asset, if used properly. They are a free source of nutrients and insulation for your garden and flower beds.

We are now on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/GrassrootslawnandlandscapingVA/. Please follow us for additional tips and information for your lawn and garden.

We would like to take this time to tell you how grateful we are to you for choosing Grass Roots Lawn and Landscaping to be your lawn care provider. Every one of us thanks you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. It means a great deal to all of us.

fall

Wishing you a safe, healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!