Is Your Property Fall-Ready?

One thing that shouldn’t be overlooked this time of year is lawn care. Here are some great back-to-school yard tips from the experts at the Ohio Valley Group in Chagrin Falls.

Not only will they give your property a fall facelift but also provide you with a clean slate for the new school year. It’ll also simplify the maintenance you’ll face in spring. It’s easier to work with your yard in the late summer and fall because the soil is still dry and warm.

The soil’s light texture makes it easier to rejuvenate the earth than it will be when your ground is wet and heavy from a hard winter. The ideal time to start this prep work is about six weeks before the first freeze, which will vary by region, but typically lands around the beginning of the school year.

Check for hanging limbs. These may have been dis placed by summer thunderstorms. These limbs should be removed, as they can be dangerous during after school playdates.

The same goes for branches protruding from plants or creeping close to windows and entryways. These outof-place limbs and branches should be removed for safety and appearance, but also because they can trap moisture and invite termites into your home.

Clear flower beds. When the larger plants are cleaned up, check for debris in your flowerbeds. After a long hot summer, annuals will likely die and could act as a breeding ground for harmful insects that may spread disease in the spring. And while perennials should last from season to season, their stems need to be cut within an inch or two of the ground for prosperous growth in the coming year. To protect the remaining plant, you can mulch your flowerbeds to act as a barrier.

Mulch will also protect flower bulbs, which are another great way to plan for a fresh and colorful spring. It’s best to plant bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes, so they can settle in and prepare to bloom at the first signs of warmer weather.

Close crop your lawn. While it might be painful to cut your beautiful green grass any shorter than necessary as the summer closes, your lawn should be mowed with the blade on its lowest setting (usually one inch). This helps more of the individual blades’ surface area to ab sorb the sun’s rays and store more food in the roots, keeping them healthy and prepped for spring.

While sunlight will help produce food to get your grass through the winter, there are additional nutrients that can be added to maximize the pH and nutrient levels during the colder months. The Ohio Valley Group team can recommend the fertilizer best for your climate, which will encourage blade development straight from the root when it starts to grow again.

Add leaves. Another way to enrich the soil during its winter rest is by adding a layer of leaves to the surface once the trees in your yard are bare. A two to fourinch layer of shredded leaves acts as a natural compost and protective barrier to fend off snow and frost and keep weeds at bay.

Early fall is also the best time to get rid of those weeds and take steps to stop them from grow ing back in the spring. Spreading weed preventer or pre-emergent herbicide while the ground is still warm and moist will allow it to penetrate the soil’s surface to minimize the number of unwanted weeds that pop up in the spring.

Like weeds, vines can be unwanted and overwhelming when they’re not kept under control. Vines are known to trap moisture against the house, causing the mortar between bricks to break down. They also act as a bridge for unwanted insect visitors to get quick access to your windows and doors, and eventually inside your house. As the seasons change, so will your preferences. Once your yard is refreshed and ready for the school year, the Ohio Valley Group can help you adjust the color scheme on your property to match the cooler temps and vibrant colors that come along with a brand-new start.