<font color=red>QUICK TIPS</font> Fall Lawn Checklist

Leaves will soon begin their process of changing as the lawn care season comes to a close in many regions. Before the last spreader is taken from the truck to make room for the snow plow, take a few steps to leave lawns in a peak condition and increase the likelihood that they’ll be lush and green in the spring. Keeping the lawn and garden healthy will help ensure your customers will be impressed with what they see in the fall and make them want to sign on the dotted line for another season of service.

Here are a few tips, shared by Renewal by Andersen of Ohio, designed to help prepare lawns for the off-season.

• Apply fall lawn fertilizers and grass seed in late September or October. This will help stimulate both root and crown growth.
• Protect plants from deer by using fences, deer netting, sprays or deer resistant shrubs.
• Fall is the best time to divide crowded early blooming perennials. Replant vigorous outer parts of clumps.
• In perennial beds, clean dead perennial foliage after it dies down naturally and discard. Apply winter mulch after the ground freezes.
• Mulch and prune roses in late fall/early winter.
• The mower chops leaves and gives the grass a last trimming.
• Early fall is best for planting many perennials and all spring-blooming bulbs.
• Trees, shrubs and bulbs can be planted as long as the soil is unfrozen.
  Cultivate the soil and mulch for winter.