Fall isn’t just the time for back to school, apple cider, and taking the warmer clothes out of the attic. It’s also one of the most important times for lawn care. And autumn lawn care is a lot more than raking (and raking… and raking) leaves. If you want your lawn to look great next spring, you need to get started on some essentials right now — and if you live in the Lansing area, HTA Companies is here to help.
Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control
Most homeowners think of weed control and fertilization as tasks that belong on spring and summer to-do lists. The time from September through November actually finds us busy with liquid weed control for broadleaf weeds, and the application of slow-release and high-nitrogen fertilizers that ensure your plants are fed for their winter nap. We can also aerate your soil and overseed, ensuring a healthy lawn that’s better able to inhibit weed growth in the spring.
Tree and Shrub Services
If you’ve noticed that some of the trees and shrubs in your yard aren’t as healthy as they should be, our tree and shrub care addresses the problem. Pruning that removes dead or diseased areas on shrubs, and large tree trimming that removes dead limbs, can be great to take care of in the fall. Not only does this help ensure the long-term health of your trees and shrubs, it also ensures that the snows of winter won’t weigh down and break dead branches, potentially doing further damage to an otherwise-healthy tree or falling on your car or home. We even offer on-site consultations with horticulturists and certified arborists who can suggest your best course of action.
Landscape Design and Construction
The autumn is also a good time for certain landscape design and construction projects. While projects that involve heavy planting are sometimes best left for the spring and early summer, autumn can be a good time for hardscaping. That’s because the kids are back in school and your yard is seeing much less use. This is a good time to repair or replace decks and retaining walls. It’s also perfect if you’re designing and installing a new patio, sidewalk, driveway, or a fire pit to enjoy those crisp autumn nights. In any event, our work at this time of year is much less likely to disrupt your day-to-day routine.
Other Things to Remember
We often find that homeowners take a hands-off approach to lawn care in the fall. There are a few important steps to take before the first frost that will help ensure your lawn is healthier when the snow melts, the ground thaws, and spring returns.
- Remove leaves, since a carpet of autumn leaves may look gorgeous but can trap moisture and kill grass
- Keep mowing, since your grass is growing (albeit slower than it did during the summer)
- Keep watering, because a dry spell can still damage your grass even without the high heat of summer causing evaporation
- Get a helping hand from HTA Companies, since timing matters in lawn care — we can keep you on schedule