As the days get shorter and the temperature goes down, it becomes time to get your lawn ready for winter. There are many fall lawn maintenance tips that you can do now, before your lawn goes dormant in the upcoming winter months.

• Fertilizing- This is essential during the fall months. Fertilization of your lawn provides additional nutrients to be stored and used during the dormancy period.
• Lawn aeration- Fights grass compaction from summer traffic and helps get oxygen and nutrients get into the grass.
• Reseed- In the fall/winter you grass may begin to thin, reseeding can prevent this from happening.
• Clean up the garden- Cut your plants and vegetables back to help keep bugs and disease away.
• Rake your leaves- Not doing so allows the leaves to smother your grass. They block vital sunlight and thin our your grass.
• Adjust your mowing height- Change the height to about 2 to 3 inches in the fall. Cutting your lawn slighty shorts helps prevent the grass from matting down under leaves and snow.
• Attack perennial weeds- Fall is the best time of the year to get rid of these pesty weeds. Spraying on days when the temperature is moderate and the soil is moist is best.
• Fill in bald spots- Autumn is a great time of the year to fix any bare spots on your lawn.

Another thing you might want to think about is Halloween. You have to make sure that you lawn and yard is accessible to kids on Halloween night. Safety is a huge issue, especially on this particular night.

• Make sure your walkway is lit by turning on a porch or other outdoor light
• Keep your walkway or driveway clear of obstructions and debris
• Cut or trim and branches or shrubs that way have overgrown onto your walkway

A really good idea is to make sure that your homeowner’s insurance is up to date. You also want to make sure that it covers personal liability and property in case of injury or damage. Halloween is a big night for mischief and vandalism. You want to make sure that your house will be protected if anything should happen.

These are just a few easy tips you can think about while you’re getting your lawn ready for the fall and winter months that are coming soon. Also, ways that you prepare for trick-or-treaters and tips on how to protect yourself and your home.

To make sure that you are covered if something should happen to your house this Halloween or to discuss your insurance needs, please contact us at 888.304.6678 or visit our virtual insurance office.