While the high temperatures and bright sun of summer are welcome by many, the harsh conditions can wreak havoc on your lawn, triggering dried-out patches and an invasion of weeds. The garden experts at Martha Stewart diagnose some of the common lawn problems you may find yourself dealing with come fall, and how to treat them.
Thatch. Thatch refers to a layer of dead grass, roots and other debris that can accumulate over time between the surface of the soil and the grass blades above. Thatch must be broken up and removed in order to maintain a healthy lawn, and the best time to do this is in late spring or early fall. That said, if you live in a very dry climate, hold off as removing the thatch may dry out the roots.
Bald Spots. Summer heat can often lead to bald patches in your lawn, which can be tough to revive once the heat of the season has passed. If you have such patches, or your lawn is very thin, try adding fertilizer and overseeding in the problem spots. This should be done in the fall if you live in a northern region, and the spring if you’re in a southern location.
Weeds. While gardeners tend to focus on weeds in the spring and summer, be sure to get rid of any weeds that are still present in the fall. This will prevent weeds from going dormant in the winter and reemerging in the spring. If you’ve just planted grass seed, however, read the label of any weed killer you may use as it may interfere with seed germination.
Leaves. Allowing leaves to accumulate on your lawn can smother the grass and lead to issues in the spring. Experts recommend removing the leaves frequently, but raking them isn’t always necessary. Use your lawn mower to mulch them into the grass, delivering important nutrients to the soil.
