The season may have changed from summer to fall, but that’s no excuse to stop taking care of your lawn for the year. There’s still some care bluegrass lawns need before they go dormant for the winter.
Take this True or False quiz to test your fall lawn care knowledge. Then check your answers to see what your lawn needs before the snow starts to fly.
Lawns require less water in fall, so there’s no need to keep watering. True or False?
Fall is the time to treat the lawn for broadleaf weeds, like dandelions. True or False?
The last lawn fertilizing of the season is the most important one of the year. True or False?
Fall is the worst time of the year to reseed or renovate a bluegrass lawn. True or False?
The best fertilizer for a fall lawn feeding is one that’s high in nitrogen. True or False?
Fertilizer can be applied anytime in fall, even after the lawn has turned brown. True or False?
Core aerating a lawn is best when done only in spring. True or False?
Fall fertilizing gives turfgrass roots the energy they need to survive the winter. True or False?
Once the ground freezes, there’s no need to water in the winter. True or False?
Fall fertilizing helps lawns green up sooner in spring. True or False?
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS
How well do you handle fall lawn care? Use the answers to create a fall lawn care plan you can tackle this month.
False. While lawns do require less water in fall, a healthy lawn still needs watering about once a week especially if there’s a lack of measurable precipitation.
True. Fall is the time to treat the lawn for broadleaf weeds, like dandelions. If you had problems with broadleaf weeds, now’s the time to control them. Dandelion, bindweed, clover, thistle and plantain can be treated with herbicide while grass is still green.
True. The last lawn fertilizing of the season is the most important one of the year. Fertilizing now helps grass grow roots and side shoots that will make for a healthier lawn next season.
False. Fall is a good time to seed, reseed or renovate a bluegrass lawn. Sod can also be planted as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Be sure to keep up with winter watering so the new lawn doesn’t dry out.
True. The best fertilizer for a fall lawn feeding is one that’s high in nitrogen. Roots need nitrogen to help them grow so look for a lawn fertilizer with the highest first number, such as a 22 or 25.
False. Time your fertilizer application while the lawn is still green and at least several weeks before freezing weather begins. Water before and after fertilizing.
False. Core aerating the lawn in fall is a good first step before reseeding and fertilizing.
True. Fall fertilizing gives turfgrass roots the energy they need to survive the winter. Stronger, healthier roots will help turfgrass weather the winter and start growing again next spring.
False. Winter weather in our region often has a freeze and thaw cycle. Keep up with watering in winter – by hose and sprinkler – about once a month when there’s no snow cover and temperatures are above 40 degrees. Water early in the day to prevent water from freezing on the turf.
True. Fall fertilizing helps lawns green up sooner in spring. Healthy roots will start growing again in early spring so you can have the first green lawn in your neighborhood.