It’s where we grill delicious steaks and hang out by the pool. We also watch movies, do video conference calls. Exercise. Relax. Make S’mores. Read books. Play games. And so much more. It’s called backyard living.
Backyarding has become a new way of life for millions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our new outdoor lifestyles have taken hold for good. We’ve become more purposeful in our yards, designating areas for eating, working, and playing.
It’s always been important to keep our yards in top condition, but now we use them more than ever. Work done in yards in the fall will determine the quality of that family football game after lunch, the video conference call backdrop, or beautiful spring blooms next year.
Our friends at TurfMutt offer the following lawn maintenance tips to help you keep your backyard in top shape for work, play and enjoyment through the seasons.
Keep mowing
Grass still needs regular care to stay healthy. Grass that is too high may attract lawn-damaging field mice. Shorter grass is more resistant to diseases and traps fewer falling leaves. Cutting it low allows more sun to reach the crown of the grass, so less leaf will turn brown in the winter. However, cutting off too much at one time can be damaging, so never trim more than a third of the grass blades off in a single cutting. Put mower blades on the lowest settings for the last two cuts of the fall season.
Aerate grass
Compressed soil hurts grass health. Aerating punches holes into the soil and lets oxygen, water, and nutrients into a lawn. Use a walk-behind aerator or get an attachment to pull behind a riding mower.
Mulch leaves
Many mowers can mulch leaves with an attachment. Since mulching with a mower can mix grass clippings with leaf particles, these nitrogen-rich grass particles and carbon-rich leaf particles will compost more quickly. Together, they return nutrients to the soil.
Trim and shore up trees and bushes
Use trimmers, chainsaws, or pole pruners to cut back trees, shrubs, and plants. Make sure branches are safely trimmed back from overhead lines and are not in danger of falling on a home or structure in winter weather. You may need to tie or brace limbs of upright evergreens or plants to prevent them from breaking in high winds or snow. Call a professional arborist for big trees or hard to reach spots.
Repair bald spots
Fall is a great time to patch bald or thin spots that have cropped up on a lawn due to wear and tear. The easiest way to do this is with an all-in-one lawn repair mixture (found at most garden shops and home centers). Use a garden rake or de-thatcher to scratch loose the soil on the spot.
Plant fall bulbs and other plants
Autumn is the season to plant for spring blooms. Check the Plant Hardiness Zone Map before deciding what to plant. If you follow these lawn maintenance tips you will enjoy your carefully created backyard living space year-round.