Fall lawn care tips
After the year that California lawns have endured, they need a little TLC. While recent heavy rains are a welcome relief, oppressive heat and drought-like conditions have left many lawns looking a little haggard. Nevertheless, now is the time of year when you can help your lawn rebound.
Clark, your friendly pest control, termite, and grounds care expert, can design a customized program to help you reclaim and promote good health for your lawn, plants, and trees. We know that no two lawns are exactly alike. Depending on where you live, they can differ by turf and soil type, climate, location, and how they are used.
Clark’s new Pest Premium plan
Clark’s Pest Premium plan allows residential customers to add lawn care and weed control services to their existing pest or termite programs, with mosquito control services also added to keep your home even more pest free. Pest Premium is designed to create a protective envelope around your home and give you peace of mind that your home is protected inside and out from pest activity.
Back to that yard of yours: Fall is an ideal time to invest in the good health of your lawn and plants. The cooler temperatures will allow your lawn and plants to rebuild and establish themselves.
Lawns and yard plants are done fighting off the summer’s hot temperatures and drought-like conditions, and are ready to take on nutrients before winter sets in. Deep-root fertilization of trees and shrubs, and traditional fertilization of lawns, will help establish stronger roots that will result in healthier, greener lawns, shrubs, and trees. This can add both environmental and aesthetic value to your home.
Fall is the time to apply pre- and post-emergent herbicides to control broadleaf weeds in lawns, flower beds and bare-ground firebreak areas.
You also can choose to be proactive toward preventing weeds from germinating in lawns, flower beds, and bare ground areas over winter. The actions you take now will determine how successful you’ll be in establishing firebreaks around your home for next year.
Some fall lawn care tips for you
What can you do to set your lawn on a healthier path this fall and into 2022? Clark would like to offer the following tips:
Overseeding: A dense, healthy lawn is the best protection against weeds, and overseeding thin or damaged areas will help build up your lawn. Remember that simply spreading seed on the ground isn’t the answer. The seed must be in contact with the soil and watered until it germinates.
Don’t stop mowing: Keep mowing your lawn, at least once a week during the fall and winter, and remember to avoid cutting it too short. A 2½- to 3-inch height is recommended, along with picking up your clippings. Cutting your lawn too short will curtail its root system and will impair its ability to recover over the winter. Regular mowing also removes leaves, allowing lawn blades to receive more sunlight and oxygen.
Remove debris and leaves: Leaves and debris are not good for your lawn, because they block light and trap moisture. Make sure you pick up any falling leaves and yard debris, because if you don’t, the grass under that decaying mat will die. Prune shrubs and trees to promote new growth, too.
Don’t forget to water: Just because it’s cooler outside and winter rains are on the horizon, you still want to make sure you water your lawn and plants at least once a week to help promote growth. Check your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads to make sure they are working properly, and adjust as needed. Also, remember to abide by any local watering restrictions.
If you want a healthy, vibrant lawn, trees, and shrubs, call California’s trusted total yard care experts, Clark Pest Control, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.
Clark Pest Control is committed to safeguarding your home from pests during these challenging times. Our service technicians use such personal protective equipment as gloves, masks, and respirators, they practice social distancing, and they adhere strictly to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your home.
Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.