It’s that time of year once again where the days get shorter and the nights get longer. Your lawn is smarter than it seems and has noticed the difference. Already it has begun to transition into the dormancy phase for the fall and winter. Florida tends to maintain warm temperatures across October, but the occasional cold day can still come. These cold days can do some unexpected damage to the lawn. We at Service Green have put together some top tips for your Florida fall lawn care this fall season, to keep your garden looking its best during the cold weather. 

It can seem like a logical idea to fertilize the lawn during the fall. The plants appear to be dying and they look like they need nourishment. Fertilizers are rich in nitrogen which encourages plant growth, which is good during the warm months. That new growth could easily be destroyed in the cold weather though. Grass will lose that sweet summer green, but you should leave it to be dormant to protect the important growth that happens away from human eyes. 

How much you should water your lawn can depend on how much rainfall you get. If you aren’t getting enough, then you should continue to regularly water the lawn. You don’t need to use as much water as you do during the winter, but you want to make sure that the grass is moist for some part of the day. 

While fertilizer isn’t a good idea for winter, some brands like to advertise themselves as a “Winterizer”; a fertilizer good for the winter. These fertilizers can do some good for your garden, but you should consider consulting an expert to determine how best to winterize your own lawn. 

Some people believe that the leaves covering their lawn keep it warm against the cold weather. The reality is that those leaves prevent the lawn from breathing properly. They also cut off access to sunlight and prevent photosynthesis. You should rake, mow, and blow leaves from the garden to keep it healthy. 

Speaking of mowing, one of the perks of the cold weather of fall is that grass grows slower. Everyone wants that perfect looking lawn, but you should give your grass some time to grow during the cold temperatures. You should be mowing your lawn once every two weeks at the maximum. Also try to mow the grass during midday to prevent grass stress and switch up your mowing pattern to prevent rutting. 

Just because the cold weather has set in, there’s no reason to leave your garden alone. If anything, it needs your care and attention now more than ever. With that said, you need to switch up your tactics a bit during the fall and winter. Water the garden appropriately, cut down on mowing the grass, and rake up leaves so that the garden has the space to grow. Don’t hesitate to consult the experts if you need any extra care for your LaBelle garden this fall.