Fall Lawn Care – Time to Plan!
If you’re a new homeowner in one of our Ernest Homes communities – or preparing to become one – it’s a great time to start thinking about getting your lawn ready for cooler weather. Here in southeast Georgia, we don’t get extremely cold winters, but changes in temperature and moisture still affect your lawn care routine. While grass grows more slowly in autumn, this is when it absorbs the moisture and nutrients it needs to stay healthy through the winter. Give your lawn some TLC now and you'll be rewarded with a lush, green yard in the spring.
First things first… know what type of grass you have. In the South, most lawns consist of warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, zoysia, buffalo, and St. Augustine. These varieties go dormant in the winter, leading to brown, scrubby-looking lawns. If you prefer a greener lawn during the cooler months, you may choose to overseed with annual winter rye grass. As temperatures drop, the seed sprouts and fills in your lawn with fresh green color. When spring warmth returns, annual rye naturally fades, allowing your warm-season grasses to thrive again.
Be sure to avoid overseeding with perennial rye grass, which does not die back in spring and may compete with your primary lawn — causing an unnecessary “turf war.”
No matter what type of grass you have, there are key tasks to focus on when preparing your lawn for fall.
Aerate the lawn
If your lawn is a manageable size, rent a gas-powered aerator (about $70 per day). This machine punches holes into the soil, allowing moisture, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the root system. If you have a larger yard, consider hiring a professional landscaper.
Rake, rake, rake
As leaves fall, they create a dense layer that traps moisture and blocks sunlight. This can suffocate grass and encourage mold and fungus. Rake, blow, or vacuum leaves regularly to keep your lawn healthy.
Fertilize
If you only fertilize once a year, fall is the best time. Since grasses grow more slowly in autumn, the roots can absorb nutrients more efficiently, strengthening your lawn before winter.
Fill in bare spots
Fall is the ideal season to repair thin or bald patches using an all-in-one lawn repair mix. Loosen the soil, apply a generous layer of the mixture, lightly compact it, and water every other day for two weeks.
Fight the weeds
As weeds prepare for winter, they absorb nutrients aggressively. Apply herbicide now to prevent a heavy spring breakout.
Keep mowing
Even if growth slows, continue mowing to maintain a neat yard and support healthy grass.
It’s easier than you think to keep your lawn gorgeous year-round — as long as you don’t “fall” into bad habits when the heat breaks! And if you’re dreaming of a new home (and a beautiful yard) in Coastal Georgia, explore our new home communities or contact our Sales Team for more information.
