Nov 11, 2022, 13:45 PM by Fred Speer

Is it necessary to fertilize your lawn in the fall? What benefits will it provide your lawn as winter approaches? The answers to these questions are: yes, and many.

Clark, your friendly pest control expert, safeguards thousands of California homes from pests, including termites, mice, flies, and cockroaches, but we can also customize a program that promotes the good health of your lawn, plants, and trees.

With Clark’s Pest-Plus® program, as a residential customer you can add lawn care and weed control services to your existing pest or termite program. This will create a protective barrier around your home and allow you to rest easy, knowing that your home is protected inside and out from pests.

Benefits of fall fertilization

The benefits of scheduling a fall fertilization for your lawn and shrubs are numerous. These  include:

It helps rejuvenate and repair your lawn: All lawns get stressed by summer heat, drought, heavy foot traffic, or a combination of those. Applying lawn food can help replenish frazzled, worn-out grass so it recovers quicker and better. Plus, a fall feeding provides a noticeable greening that lasts longer than an unfed lawn.

It gives roots a pre-winter nutrient boost: Lawns get hungry, especially as they slow down at the end of the growing season. Fall lawn food helps your lawn grow stronger and deeper roots before cold weather and frozen soil set in.

It makes for a strong start for spring: It’s natural for your lawn’s growth and energy to slow down considerably or come to a near standstill in winter. A fall feeding gives grass a big dose of essential nutrients to store for when they’re needed most: the spring growing season. Not only will that lead to a thicker, lusher lawn, but your grass will green up earlier in the spring.

The bottom line is that feeding your lawn in fall gives your lawn the strength, stamina, and support it needs to make it through the cold weather months so it will emerge lush and green in early spring.

Fall is also the time to apply pre- and post-emergent herbicides to control broadleaf weeds in lawns, flower beds, and bare-ground firebreak areas.

Invest in your lawn and plants’ good health

Fall is an ideal time to invest in your lawn’s and plants’ good health. The cooler temperatures allow your lawn and yard plants to rebuild and establish themselves and take on valuable nutrients. It’s also a good time to plant new or transplant existing shrubs and trees or add seed to your lawn.

• Overseed your lawn: 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 in the fall and winter – and remember not to cut it too short. Clark recommends 2½- to 3-inch height and to pick up your clippings. Cutting your lawn too short curtails the root system and blocks its ability to recover over the winter. Regular mowing also removes leaves, which will allow lawn blades to receive more sunlight and oxygen.
• Do a fall cleanup: Leaves and debris are not good for your lawn, as they block the light and trap moisture. Make sure to pick up any falling leaves and yard debris, because if you don’t, the grass under that decaying mat will die. Be sure to prune shrubs and trees to promote new growth.
• Water consistently: Just because it’s cooler outside and winter rains are on the horizon, it is recommended that 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.

If you want to create a protective shield around your home and yard, call or text California’s trusted pest control and grounds care expert, Clark, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. 

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.