Fall Lawn & Garden Care Is the Beginning—Not the End!

Our first stop is the lawn, as it’s typically the largest area to maintain and the one you lose interest in the quickest.

WEED CONTROL
Weed control can be accomplished very effectively in early fall. The key is to ensure the weed killer works quickly before it’s diluted by rainfall. Before spraying the lawn areas you intend to treat with weed killer, you may want to apply a solution of 1/3 cup of natural liquid soap (the cheaper, the better) in a 20-gallon hose-end sprayer jar. Fill the rest of the sprayer jar with water and apply over 2,000 square feet of lawn area. This soapy solution will clean the weeds’ leaves and soften the soil around the roots.

FALL FEEDING
Fall feeding is essential if you want a healthy lawn for the rest of the season in warmer climates, and for a strong stand of grass in colder areas. Here’s how to do it: Apply dry lawn food the recommended rate on the bag. Then, fill your 20-gallon hose-end sprayer jar with water, leaving room for 1/3 cup of natural liquid soap, and spray over 2,000 square feet of lawn. The soap cleans the foliage and softens the soil.

INSECTS AND DISEASES
Insects and diseases often go hand-in-hand with lawn care. From coast to coast, early fall is the time to address these issues. First, let’s tackle bugs. If your lawn has a heavy buildup of thatch, it needs to be removed. A dethatching blade for your mower, a dethatching rake, or a power rake (which you can rent) will do the job. After removing the thatch, fill your 20-gallon hose-end sprayer jar to the top with ordinary beer and spray it over 2,000 square feet of lawn. This may help break down any remaining thatch. After a week, spray the same area with a soapy solution. Fill your 20 gallon hose-end sprayer jar with water, leaving room at the top of the jar for 1/3 cup of natural liquid dish soap. This soapy water could help discourage the spread of many common turf diseases.

Looking for a 20 Gallon Hose End Sprayer? Here is one we found online:

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/lawn-care/sprayers/7007946