Month: November 2016

With winter approaching, you may think that you lawn work is finished. After all, the grass has been cut for the last time, core aeration is done, and fall fertilization has been applied. But even if the all debris has been removed, and you’re just waiting for the first big snowfall of the season, there’s still something do be done:  mulch coverage around both your roots and your ornamental trees.

You may think that mulching is an odd lawn “must have” for the late fall. After all, mulching is something that you do for the summer, right? It is, but mulching also helps protect your landscape investment in the colder months, too.

Mulching around Shrubs and Ornamental Trees Protects during the Winter

Late fall mulching around trees and shrubs can be highly beneficial. The main reason homeowners use mulch is to protect the plants’ roots from the harsh winter. Freeze and thaw conditions in western Pennsylvania and in the Pittsburgh area can cause root damage to ornamental trees and shrubs. The same damage happens when roots are exposed to temperature extremes. Mulch creates a kind of barrier between the cold, dry air and your plants’ roots, keeping the area warmer. You might be thinking: But doesn’t mulch keep plantings cooler in the summer? Yes, it does. It has a benefit for every season!

Late Fall Mulch Application
October through December is the ideal time to mulch your landscape. Hardwood mulch is best to use, since it lasts longer than finely shredded pine bark mulch and prevents soil erosion. When the mulch is applied around trees and bushes, there should be no more than a 3-inch layer. If you apply too much mulch, those piles will lead to rotting roots and stems, as well as harboring room for harmful insects and pests. By using a good hardwood mulch, you will receive the added benefit in late spring and summer that the mulch can bring by keeping moisture in the plant roots during hot, dry conditions. You’ll be saving money while protecting your landscaping investment.

 
Call or contact Superior Lawn Care services today for more information on shrub mulching in the fall. We serve all areas in southwestern PA, including Indiana, Cranberry, Wexford, Moon Township, Penn Township, and North Huntingdon.

In many ways, applying a late-season fertilization on the lawn (which is often referred to as a winterizer) may be the most important fertilization for the entire year. Fall fertilization will enhance the grass plants’ ability to concentrate on root growth and recovery from summer stresses, like foot traffic and diseases.

What Does Fertilizer Do?

In the spring and summer, fertilizer is applied to grass to help replenish nutrients that may have been lost over the winter and to ensure that your lawn can withstand the many stresses of the summer. In the late fall, your lawn has other needs to prepare for the winter. A high-nitrogen fertilizer should be applied to:

• Stimulate root growth
• Build up energy reserves in the grass plant for winter, allowing the grass plant to draw from these vital energy reserves all winter long
• Help grass retain its color when cool weather arrives
• Strengthen the overall grass plant

Additionally, this fertilization’s benefits will carry over into the spring. When the lawn breaks dormancy around March, your lawn should be healthier, lush, and green. Fall fertilizer will also help fight early spring diseases such as snow mold. As you can see, there’s a reason why we think this service is so very important for the health of your lawn!

When Should Fall Fertilizer Be Applied?

Late October through December is optimal timing for this application in the Pittsburgh area. You want the nitrogen to be entrenched in the lawn so that there’s enough time for it to begin working before the weather gets cold and the snow begins to fall. As always, Superior Lawn Service is here to provide fall fertilization. It’s part of our five-step program that applies the right products at the right time of year. Call us to learn more about fall fertilization and our Five-Application Lawn Program. Superior Lawn Care services all areas in southwestern PA, including Wexford, Penn Township, Moon Township, Cranberry, North Huntingdon, and Indiana.