The difference between a so-so stretch of grass and a truly beautiful lawn both now and next spring is two applications of fertilizer, spaced approximately 6-8 weeks apart. Fertilizing in early fall helps your lawn begin rebuilding grassroots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. You can also repair dry spots left behind from lots of summer yard play with lawn seed repair kits. Doing this bit of lawn care during fall is ideal if you live in the North as weather and soil conditions are typically great for seeding
Mulch Your Leaves
Don't let leaves cover your grass for too long. Fallen leaves can block sunlight and thin out your grass. Mulching leaves is also an easier lawn maintenance task than raking, bagging, and blowing leaves and is beneficial for your lawn. So, ditch the rake and mulch your leaves to small pieces with your lawnmower before applying one of your fall feedings to help the soil microbes break down the leaves.
Some of our Favorite Fall Flowers to Plant
Asters
There are several varieties of asters that are native to New Jersey. They are perennials, so you’ll be assured they come back every year. Asters look somewhat like daisies with petals that come in a variety of colors and a yellow center.
Fall Crocus
Fall crocus bulbs are generally planted in late August and bloom very quickly. The vibrant purple flowers will give a final pop of color to your garden that will last through the fall season.
Obedient Plant
The pink and white flowers of this plant grow in clusters. They grow in late summer and early fall, and spread easily, so work great in an area that needs lots of colorful flowers.
Chrysanthemums
No matter where you live, mums are a fall favorite. They bloom in a variety of colors and are low maintenance!
Late summer or early fall is often a great time to find bargains at garden centers, as they try to clear out the last of their inventory before winter. Look for deals on what to plant in fall, including perennials, trees, and shrubs, which can all be planted until temperatures drop to a frost range. Also, as disease and pest issues tend to diminish after the steamy summer season, the Fall is a great time to show your yard some love before winter strikes.