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So, what on earth does it mean to aerate your lawn? “This process removes plugs of grass, thatch, and soil to allow for better air exchange and water movement throughout the growing zone,” explains Christopher S. Raimondi, CEO and president at Raimondi Horticultural Group in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. He tells me it’s a project that’s usually done in the fall, and typically, a machine is used to effectively core aerate.
Phil Catron, founder and president of NaturaLawn of America, agrees that aerating your lawn is an important fall project that can improve curb appeal. “Aeration helps relieve soil compaction, allowing oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the deep, complex system of roots more effectively.” And he says this process promotes a lawn that is stronger, healthier, and more resilient, especially when colder weather is not far behind. “Essentially, it’s giving your lawn and grass room to breathe, and allowing it to fully absorb any future lawn care efforts deeply,” Catron explains.
Overseeding your lawn in the cooler seasons can enhance the density of turf plants. “This process speeds up the thickness of the grass plants,” Raimondi says. He recommends overseeding if there are bare or thin areas in your yard.
Catron adds that overseeding can serve as natural weed control. “It also introduces new grass varieties that can enhance your lawn’s resistance to diseases and insect damage,” he explains. “Lastly, overseeding in the fall allows new grass seed to become fully established and thrive thanks to cooler temperatures.” And Catron notes that this leads to a more uniform, lush green lawn in the spring.
Lawns need food to look their best, and Raimondi says that’s what fertilizer is for. “We always recommend a minimum of 4 applications (either organic or manufactured fertilizer) per full growing season,” he explains, adding that the amount should be calculated to be heavier in the spring season and less nitrogen as the fall and winter months approach.
As temperatures cool off and normal rainfall returns in fall months, Catron says the turf will begin to recover, making it an ideal time for fertilizer to aid in its growth. He recommends a slow-release natural fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen and carbohydrates, as this will help
the lawn survive during the winter and “green up” quicker in the spring. “For optimum results, you should also seed your lawn around the same time you apply the fall fertilizer,” Catron explains.
Your gutters can trap all types of debris, including leaves, twigs, and windborne trash. “When this happens, the first part of your home in danger of water damage is the roof, as pooling water can rot your fascia, shingles, and the edge of your roofline,” according to Joseph Wade, vice president of operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. If your gutters are overtopped with water, he explains that this can damage your home’s foundation, and the walls of your basement (if you have one), causing cracks that will grow over time.
To clean your gutters, put on some work gloves, and then grab a ladder, place it on level ground, and ensure it is properly locked in place. “Hook an empty bucket to the top of the ladder to collect the debris you remove, and use a garden tool like a towel or hand rake to scrape waterlogged sludge,” Wade advises. After you’ve finished cleaning the gutter, he says you should use a hose to wash it clean, and ensure the water is slowing freely through the downspout.
According to Aldo Ceja, home expert at Thumbtack, gutters should be cleaned, on average, twice a year to protect your drainage system and the structural integrity of your roof.
Cleaning up your leaves can make the yard more aesthetically pleasing, but it also serves another purpose. “You need to rake up and dispose of leaves, since leaving them on your lawn can damage it by trapping in too much moisture,” says Ceja. He adds that leaves can also clog up gutters.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, which means the best way to get rid of pests is to stop them from ever entering your home. According to John Kauffman, regional technical manager at TruGreen, this means sealing your home so they can’t slip inside, and providing inhospitable living conditions.
“Make sure your doors and windows are properly caulked and weather-stripped, repair broken window screens, and seal any other openings into your home,” he says. Also, Kaufmann recommends removing breeding sites around the property, like stand water and debris piles. Another option is to call a pest control professional to conduct a thorough evaluation.
Pressure-washing your home can drastically change its appearance if you have years’ worth of dirt and grime on it. You may be thinking that your home’s exterior gets cleaned every time it rains, but that like comparing the water that comes out of your sink to the targeted and powerful blast of water that comes out of the sprayer. And don’t just focus on pressure washing the house. “Pressure washing your deck, driveway, and sidewalk will also reduce wear and tear by getting rid of mold, algae, chalk, insects, and more,” says Vera Peterson, group president at Neighborly.
Shrub trimming not only enhances the appearance of your landscape but also promotes healthy growth. “You’re removing dead or overgrown branches, which could become problematic during the colder months,” explains Catron. And he says it also encourages better air circulation, which helps prevent disease as plants enter dormancy.
That’s why Raimondi says pruning shrubs is generally necessary – although it depends on the species of plant and the desired outcome. “Most often, trimming keeps the plant fuller and may actually increase the bloom count,” he says. However, it’s up to you to determine the final outcome. “Many people like a natural look while others desire a sheared effect.”
And there’s another reason to trim shrubs. “Homeowners should trim tree and shrub foliage so it doesn’t touch your house, which would allow pests to use them as a bridge,” adds Kauffman.
According to Ceja, it’s important to winterize your irrigation system before the weather drops below freezing. “Improperly shutting off your system can cause pipes to burst, leading to unexpected and costly repairs,” he explains. If your sprinkler system is on a timer, he recommends switching it off or putting it in standby mode.
Trimming or pruning trees in the fall reduces the risk of damage caused by falling branches, and Catron says it also improves the tree’s overall health and shape. “This is also a good time to address any structural issues, giving trees a better chance to withstand harsh conditions,” he explains. “Proper pruning will direct the tree’s energy to its core structure, setting it up for success in the colder months.”
According to Raimondi, most trees mature into the natural predetermined shape over time. However, he recommends regularly inspecting them to decide if corrective cuts are in order – and the level or degree of trimming can be minor or extensive, depending on the desired outcome. “If using a tree to create a hedge for example, that may take shearing several times per year, so selecting the correct plant for the space is the best rule of thumb,” Raimondi says.
Raimondi compares weeding to dirty dishes – and says sooner or later you’ll have to tend to them. “But weeds can exist naturally and still be in check – for example, some refer to Clover in a lawn as a weed, while others look at the positives that it may bring to the soil or erosion,” he says.
Since many types of weeds are about to go dormant in the fall, this is an ideal time to manage them. “Weeds tend to invade areas where turf is weak or stressed, often due to improper mowing or watering,” Catron says. It could be that the grass was cut too short or cut with a dull mower blade. “As the weather cools, maintaining proper mowing heights and adjusting your watering schedule to account for seasonal rainfall creates an environment where healthy turf can help combat weeds,” he explains. For smaller, manageable weeds, Catron says hand-pulling is still the most effective, eco-friendly option. “However, because this leaves an open space in the turf, seeding becomes important so grass can fill the void as opposed to another weed.”
Window cleaning might appear to be an insignificant curb appeal component. However, cleaning the dirt and grim on the exterior glass, frame, and sill can make your home’s exterior look much better. Using a cleaning concentrate and water, along with a scrubber to loosen grime, and a squeegee, you may choose to do this task yourself, but if you don’t want to get on a ladder, call in the pros.
And don’t forget to clean the windows’ interior as well. “To clean your windows, make a cold-weather window cleaner solution with a high alcohol content and fill a spray bottle,” says Katie Dills, brand president at The Cleaning Authority. “She recommends spraying the windows lightly with cleaning solution and using a microfiber cloth to wipe any streaks or grime. “Let the cleaning solution sit on any stubborn areas while you work on the rest of the window but wipe it away before moving on.” Then Dills says you should use a squeegee to remove excess water and dry the window completely with a dry towel.
Read the original post here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/terriwilliams/2024/09/17/12-fall-projects-for-the-best-curb-appeal-according-to-thumbtack/
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