Sutherlands Organic Solutions
“We are a lawn care company committed to helping your lawn look its best and our earth help itself.”
A Chat with Your Lawn: Early Fall Lawn Care Essentials
As summer winds down and cooler weather moves in, your lawn is getting ready for the months ahead.
Early fall is one of the most important times of year for lawn care because the attention you give your grass now can help create a thicker, greener lawn next spring.
1. Mow Smart 🌱
Don’t put the mower away just yet! Continue mowing while your grass is actively growing but avoid cutting it too short. Aim for a mowing height of about 3.5–4 inches during early fall.
Leaving enough grass helps shade the soil and gives your lawn plenty of leaf surface to support healthy roots. As growth slows later in the season, you can gradually adjust your mowing routine for winter.
2. Give Your Lawn Some Food
Fall is a great time to help your lawn replenish nutrients and strengthen its root system. A suitable fall lawn fertilizer can encourage root development and help your grass store energy before winter.
Choose fertilizer based on your grass type and, ideally, the results of a soil test rather than assuming every lawn needs the same nutrient mix. Healthy roots in the fall can make a noticeable difference when your lawn wakes up in spring.
3. Keep Watering 💧
Cooler weather doesn’t necessarily mean your lawn no longer needs water. If rainfall is limited, continue watering deeply enough to reach the root zone.
Early morning is generally the best time to water, because less moisture is lost to evaporation and the grass has time to dry during the day.
Rather than relying on a fixed number of minutes, pay attention to rainfall, soil moisture, sprinkler output, and your lawn’s needs.
4. Aerate, Overseed & Clean Up 🍂
Fall can also be an excellent opportunity to repair thin or stressed areas.
For cool-season lawns, aerating compacted soil and overseeding thin spots in early fall gives new grass time to establish while temperatures are moderate. Keep newly seeded areas consistently moist during germination.
As leaves begin to fall, don’t let a thick layer smother your grass. Mulching manageable amounts of leaves with your mower can return organic material to the lawn. Remove excessive leaf buildup when necessary.
5. Don’t Forget Your Equipment
Late fall is also a good time to prepare lawn equipment for storage. Clean your mower, inspect or sharpen the blade, and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.
If you have an irrigation system in a cold-winter climate, plan to winterize it before sustained freezing temperatures arrive.
6. Give Your Lawn a Head Start on Spring 💚
Fall lawn care isn’t about making your yard look perfect for a few weeks. It’s about building healthy roots and preparing your grass for winter.
Keep mowing appropriately, water when needed, feed according to your lawn’s needs, manage fallen leaves, and take advantage of the season for aerating and overseeding when appropriate.
A little attention this fall can help set the stage for the lush, healthy lawn you’ll enjoy next spring. Your lawn works hard all year—give it a little love before winter!
It’s 4th of July Holiday Week! —Let the Celebrations Begin! 🎆🌭🍔
The grills are heating up, the flags are flying, and the countdown to fireworks has officially begun! Before we dive into all the fun, we have one quick (but important) announcement…
We are heading into our third major heat wave, and this one is expected to be the hottest yet, with temperatures soaring well over 100°F. That’s not just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous for both people and lawns.
Most Importantly—Take Care of Yourself! ❤️
This heat is no joke. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day—even if you don’t feel thirsty. Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning, wear light-colored clothing when possible, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the afternoon.
If you begin to feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, overly fatigued, or notice excessive sweating or muscle cramps, don’t try to “push through it.” Stop what you’re doing immediately, move to a cool place, drink water, and allow your body to cool down. Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly, so it’s always better to play it safe.
Remember, your health comes first! The burgers will still be hot, the fireworks will still light up the sky, and the celebrations will be even more enjoyable when you’re feeling your best.
Your Lawn Needs a Holiday Weekend Too! 🌱
Your grass is going to feel this heat just as much as you do.
Please help it survive by:
- 💧 Watering deeply to keep it hydrated.
- 🚫 Skip mowing all week/weekend (your lawn says, “thank you!”).
- 📏 Keep your grass around 4 inches tall if possible. A taller lawn helps protect the soil and roots from the intense sun.
- 🌾 Don’t panic if you notice some browning—it’s normal during extreme heat and doesn’t mean your lawn is giving up; it is protecting itself. Extreme heat can cause your lawn to go dormant—a normal survival response, not a sign it’s dying. Dormancy helps grass conserve water and energy until cooler temperatures return.
💦 Bonus Tip for Beating the Heat! On days when temperatures are expected to reach the 90s or even 100°F, we recommend giving your lawn a little extra help if possible. 🌞Around 12:30–1:00 PM, run your sprinklers for about 10 minutes. This isn’t meant to replace your regular watering schedule—it’s simply a quick midday cooldown during extreme heat. Think of it like jumping into a pool on a scorching summer day. 🏊♂️ It helps cool the soil, reduces heat stress on your grass, and can make a big difference in helping your lawn survive these intense temperatures. Just remember: this quick midday watering is only recommended during extreme heat waves, not as part of your everyday watering routine.
For Customers Receiving Treatments This Week
Good news! Our fertilizer program is specifically designed to perform during tough summer conditions. It helps strengthen your lawn, reduce heat stress, and promotes a quicker recovery once temperatures return to normal.
If your lawn develops brown patches before or after your treatment, don’t worry—this is not a reflection of the application or its effectiveness. During extreme heat, your lawn naturally goes into a protective survival mode called dormancy. This is your grass’s way of conserving energy and moisture until cooler temperatures and more favorable growing conditions return. With proper watering, mowing and a little patience, your lawn will be in the best position to bounce back once this heat wave passes.
Happy Independence Day! 🎇
Stay safe, stay cool, drink plenty of water (yes, that means you—not just the lawn! 😉), and we’ll see you soon when the temperatures—and hopefully everyone—have cooled off a bit.
Sutherlands Organic Solutions 