Cooler nights are here, recovery can begin
Summer heat and humidity placed cool-season lawns under heavy stress, increasing discoloration and disease. As cooler, drier, nights return, your lawn can recover. Consistent fall care will help rebuild strength and prepare the turf for winter.
Mother Nature delivered exactly what we expected this summer: heat, humidity, and more than enough rainfall. This combination placed significant stress on our turf, but the remaining weeks of the growing season provide the perfect opportunity to help your lawn recover, build stronger turf, and prepare for another Iowa summer next year.
This month’s newsletter will explain what you can do this fall to support your lawn’s recovery and answer some of the most common questions we receive this time of year.
Why LATE SUMMER APPLICATION Is Important
This summer’s regular rains created ideal conditions for summer weeds. Our pre-emergent control has worn off, so some weed activity will linger until soil temps cool. We’re currently applying the late summer application which includes:
- Targeted weed control for summer annual grasses and weeds
- Slow-release fertilizer
- Nutrient enhancer
This application will help suppress the remaining summer weeds and nourish your lawn as it enters fall.
IT’S TIME TO AERATE AND OVERSEED
We’ve kicked off our fall aeration and overseeding services for clients with irrigation systems and those scheduled for seeding. Aeration is one of the best things you can do for your lawn; it relieves compaction, improves root development, and allows water and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil.
We’re currently in the prime seeding window, and September is the ideal time to get your lawn thick and healthy. If you haven’t scheduled yet, there’s still time! Contact us today to get on the schedule.
NEW! Last year we introduced Turf-Type Tall Fescue into our seeding blend last fall. We’re seeing great first year results with this blend and excited to bring it into more lawns. This grass type:
- Germinates quickly
- Develops deep roots
- Resists most common turf diseases
- Holds up well under weather pressure
SOIL CONDITIONER PROGRAM
YOUR LAWN NEEDS THIS!
Pair your aeration with our soil conditioner program, a powerful blend of humic acid, micronutrients, and BioChar. This treatment enhances soil structure and nutrient availability — especially beneficial for new construction lawns or areas with poor soil. It’s available throughout the fall season, and we highly recommend it for anyone who hasn’t had it applied yet.
RUST ON BLUEGRASS LAWNS
Rust will be here soon
Rust is a common and harmless turf condition we often see in early fall, especially on bluegrass. You may notice orange dust on shoes or mower wheels, those are rust spores. While it may look alarming, it’s just a cosmetic issue and will resolve on its own.
Rust appears when grass shifts its focus from growing upward to strengthening its roots and crown for winter. No need for fungicides — just mow regularly and maintain airflow when possible.
WATERING REMINDER: It’s time to scale back
Thanks to a cooperative mother nature, many lawns have received just the right amount of water. Now’s the time to scale back.
FALL WATERING TIPS:
- Avoid overwatering in early fall. Overwatering leads to shallow roots and increases disease risk and stress issues.
- Let your lawn dry out between watering. Dry periods encourage deep root growth.
- The fall season is prime time to build strong root systems — don’t miss the opportunity!
FALL IS HERE, AND SO ARE THE PESTS
Cooler weather brings unwanted visitors, protect your house before they settle in. As the temperatures drop, pests like boxelder bugs, stink bugs, and spiders start looking for a warm place to seek shelter and move into our homes. Our perimeter pest control service creates a protective barrier around your home to keep these invaders out before they get inside.
Cooler Days And Greener Grass Are Just Around The Corner
The summer heat is almost gone, and also the stress on your lawn. Stay patient, trust the process, and remember that the foundation for a healthy lawn has already been put in place. As cooler temperatures return, so will the growth, color, and density you’ve been working toward all season.
FAQ’s
Do I still need to water if there has been rain?
We were fortunate to receive good rainfall over the past couple of weeks. However, your turf and plants still need routine watering during the growing season. We recommend watering a 1/2 inch, twice per week. Watering deep a couple of days a week is better than watering shallow multiple days per week.
Raise your mower, not your lawn’s stress
During periods of extreme heat and humidity, raising your mowing height is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce stress on cool-season turf. Keeping your mower set between 3.5 and 4 inches is ideal during the summer months. Taller grass blades provide more surface area for photosynthesis, helping the plant produce the energy it needs to withstand heat stress. They also shade the soil, keeping root temperatures cooler, reducing moisture loss, and limiting weed germination. Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass blade at a time, and keep your mower blades sharp to make clean cuts that heal quickly. A taller lawn is better equipped to conserve moisture, protect its root system, and recover more quickly when cooler weather returns.
Fall is also a great time to make sure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades create added stress to the plant. A sharp blade will create a clean cut and reduce stress.
