Water: If it’s been a dry fall, make sure the soil is moist going into winter. It’s very stressful for the root system to go for months in bone-dry soil. Even when it’s cool, the soil is still losing moisture to the atmosphere, just not as quickly as it does when it’s hot.

Rake: Don’t leave dead leaves on your lawn. They’ll only promote mold and smother the grass when it’s trying to get started next spring. Plus, it’s much easier to rake them up in the fall when they’re dry.

Aerate: If you have heavy soil, fall is the time to aerate. Do it when the soil is moist and before you fertilize. Aerating loosens the soil, which allows roots to spread and oxygen to penetrate.

Fertilize: Even though the lawn is beginning to turn brown, the roots are hard at work storing nutrients for the winter and the following growing year. Fall is the single most important time to fertilize. Six to eight weeks before your first frost date is a good time to fertilize.

Mow: For the last cutting of the season, set your mower to about 1-1/2 in. and cut the grass short. That will help prevent snow mold in your yard.

Winterizing a Sprinkler System: You can pay an irrigation company or use your air compressor and do it yourself. You just have to be careful not to leave any water in the line or it might freeze over the winter and burst a pipe.

Prune Plants: By deadheading plants — removing spent flower heads — your gardens will look better, and the plants will be ready for overwintering. Pruning your garden and cutting back perennials in the fall can even lead to more flowers next year 4.

We hope these tips help you get your yard ready for fall!

To see more about Poudre football click here. The team took the state championship in 1969. “We were the hicks from up north, and nobody in Denver expected us to do anything,” said Mike McGraw, a junior tight end/linebacker that season. “We were true underdogs – the Rodney Dangerfields of Colorado high school football. We were smaller than every other team, but we had a ton of heart and character. That’s what really made it special.”

1. New Sod should be watered 3 times daily for the first two weeks. The sod should be kept damp.
2. All traffic across new sod should be kept to a minimum, as it separates seams and disturbs the underlaying grade.
3. KorbySod LLC will help start your irrigation system after the sod is installed. If there is a problem, please call the company that installed your irrigation system.

First Mowing

1. The first mowing can usually occur two or three weeks after installation or when the sod reaches a height of 3.5″ to 4″ tall
2. Adjust the height to approximately 3″ and be certain that the blades are sharp.
3. Do not water the day before mowing, as this will mat the foliage.
4. Repeat mowing procedures approximately once or twice per week during the growing season. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade per mowing. CAUTION: If large mowing equipment will be used, the turf may need to be allowed to dry for a longer period of time. Low areas will remain wet.

Weeding and Fertilization

1. After the first year, a pre-emergent should be used in early spring to keep the weeds to a minimum. You may find it necessary to use a broadleaf herbicide to help control encroaching weeds. Take care not to get the herbicide in your shrub beds.
2. At approximately six-week intervals, from April through October, fertilize your lawn with a well-balanced (20-10-5) fertilizer at the recommended rate. It is best to fertilize in two directions at 1/2 the recommended rate to assure proper coverage and overlap. Remember, more frequent, light applications will give you better color than less frequent heavy applications.