Family Yard To-Dos for Fall

via OPEI and the TurfMutt Foundation

Fall is a dog-gone good time to spend in your family yard.  

Science has shown that spending time in our family yards is good for health and well-being.

It’s also the top-dog time of year to prep our living landscape for another favorite season—spring.

Here’s what you need to do now to have a fabulous and TurfMutt-approved family yard this fall and beyond.

Remove Leaves: Mulching your leaves rather than raking and bagging is good for your lawn and the environment. As shredded leaves decompose, they feed your lawn, naturally.

Aerate the Family Lawn: Aerating prevents soil from becoming compacted and covered with thatch - a thick layer of roots, stems and debris that blocks water, oxygen and nutrients from reaching the soil.

Mow at the Right Height: Keep cutting your grass until the first hard frost. Find the just-right length for your species, typically between 2-3 inches, to keep your grass healthy when it turns cold. 

Water Wisely: If you’re not getting at least an inch of water a week from Mother Nature, you’ll want to keep watering through the fall. Install watering solutions, such as smart controllers on irrigation systems, to help conserve water.