Take care of your yard this fall

Date: 10/3/2011

(StatePoint) — Just because the summer garden party season is over, doesn’t mean you should neglect your lawn. Autumn is a critical time for lawn care and to get your landscaping ready for winter and spring.

Addressing garden and landscaping work now will save you time and effort next spring. After all, who wants to spend the first few glorious days of spring toiling in the yard?

Here are some critical steps you can take in a weekend to make sure your yard is prepped for next year.

Fertilize

Fertilizing is a must to strengthen the lawn’s root system and store nutrients needed in the winter months ahead. Pay special attention to areas that may have been worn down by foot traffic and outdoor entertaining.

You’ll need to replenish the nutrients that were depleted in the summer months. For an even distribution, spreaders offer a quick and convenient fertilizing solution. Spreaders are available for lawns of every size, in both push-behind designs and tow-behind tractor models.

Prune

Cutting dead or weakened tree branches will keep them from falling and damaging your — or your neighbor’s — property, especially as winter weather sets it. Garden shears are fine for light pruning or trimming hedges, but heavier work such as storm cleanup often requires a chainsaw.

When using a chainsaw for yard work, make sure the chain is sharp, as dull chainsaws make work more difficult. Simple add-ons can increase your efficiency. For example, PowerSharp, a chainsaw sharpening system from Oregon-brand outdoor products, lets chainsaw users sharpen chain on the saw, on the job, in seconds. This helps get yard work done faster and with relative ease, especially when pruning and trimming.

To learn more, visit www.powersharp.com.

Rake and Re-seed

When raking fallen leaves, opt for a lightweight plastic rake, which glides more easily on grass than metal ones. Also, an open tarp for collecting leaves works better than dragging plastic bags across the yard.

You should also clear plant beds of dead foliage, which can smother budding greenery and foster disease. And by reseeding your lawn, you’ll help guard against dead patches in the spring. But remember to stay off any re-seeded lawn for at least two weeks.

Preparing your yard now will leave more time later on for enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Courtesy of StatePoint