It’s time to give your summer lawn some TLC

This year has seen a surge in turf projects along the Front Range and elsewhere in Colorado. From planting native and water-efficient plants to replacing the lawn with more drought-tolerant grass species to replacing the lawn with clover, there are options to consider depending on the desired outcome.

Water conservation and attracting pollinators appear to be the main reasons for these projects. Decades ago, there were few gardeners and landscape designers in Colorado committed to using plants and methods better suited to our dry, sun-drenched landscapes—techniques that differed from the mainstream norm of wall-to-wall lawn. We thank them for their ingenuity as they have stayed the course and proven that more ecologically minded landscapes can be both imaginative and beautiful places in which we want to spend time.

Does this mean the backyard lawns where kids and dogs play should disappear? Not at all. Lawns remain a viable and practical mass ground cover solution for many homeowners and certainly for our treasured public city parks, stadiums and other areas. There’s nothing wrong with having both: a manageable lawn to stroll on while drinking your morning coffee, and natural places in the landscape where you can observe the colorful and beneficial insect and bird activity up close , as they fly around and eat plants that make us happy.

Now that fall has officially arrived after a very hot, dry summer, it’s easy to see that the lawn may need some TLC and TLC before the cold weather arrives and continues.

To better understand your lawn type, whether you have a cool- or warm-season lawn, check out lawn basics at bit.ly/4gJ4o28. I also reported on the complete lawn renovation at bit.ly/3ZZMXo7. Clover lawns will be covered at a later date.

It cannot be said often enough that growing a healthy lawn is all about consistent and appropriate care, which can help prevent problems. Here are three cool-season fall lawn care tips that will improve your lawn in the short and long term.

1. For dead lawns due to animal or pest infestation, irrigation problems or fungal infestation, reseeding with a similar and more drought-tolerant grass seed is the most cost-effective and less strenuous way to achieve a positive lawn result. Seeding can thicken older existing lawns that may have been thinned by summer activity and too much shade.

Get started now because it can take several days to a week or longer for grass seeds to germinate and start growing. Go to your local independent garden center and get seeds that suit your sunlight and growing conditions.

Aerating the lawn and bare areas first with a lawn service or your own pitchfork or handheld aerator will deliver the grass seeds directly to the root areas, ensuring better germination. Mark sprinkler heads to prevent them from being damaged by machinery.

Lawn aeration is one of the most beneficial fall tasks, resulting in improved grass root growth and a reduction in thatch, the layer of decaying roots and stems that results in reduced water infiltration and shallow grass root formation.

Water the lawn well one to two days before aerating. Poke lots of holes in the area so lots of seeds go into lots of holes. Fertilizing the lawn after seeding contributes to the health of the lawn, along with topdressing the seeded area and the entire lawn with a not-too-thick layer of compost, about half an inch. Be sure to water the sown, fertilized and fertilized areas well and keep the seeds moist with daily watering.

Continue regular watering of existing lawns, trees, shrubs and plants until at least mid-October rather than stopping in September. As temperatures drop and consistently fall below 70 degrees, reduce watering days but not sprinkler run times. Regular watering helps the plants enter a healthy resting phase.

2. Weeds in lawns and surrounding areas grow heavily in the fall to survive the winter. So grab next year’s weeds and remove them now. Dig by hand or spot treat.

3. It is not recommended to leave fallen leaves on the lawn for months. Not only can they be slippery when wet, but they also smother the lawn, causing even more problems in the spring, and the leaves also hide animal waste.