Fall Lawn Fertilization Schedule for Virginia Homeowners (2024)
As we enter the cooler months, maintaining a healthy lawn in Virginia requires timely care and attention. Fall is the perfect season to set your lawn up for success through proper fertilization, aeration, and overseeding. This guide walks homeowners through essential steps for the fall of 2024, ensuring lush, vibrant grass next spring.
Start Fertilization (August 15 – September 15)
Fertilizing your lawn in late summer to early fall helps it recover from the summer heat and prepares it for vigorous growth in the fall. Here’s what you should do:
- Soil Test: Before jumping into fall fertilization, it’s vital to get your soil tested every 3 to 4 years. A soil test ensures that you’re applying the correct amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) based on your lawn's needs.
- Nitrogen Application: Apply 0.7 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. For example, use 2.5 lbs. of a 28-0-4 fertilizer or 2.2 lbs. of a 32-0-10 fertilizer.
- Overseeding: If overseeding is planned, wait two weeks after fertilization before applying the seed to give your lawn the best chance for new growth.
Thatching and Aeration (September 1 – October 1)
Virginia lawns, particularly those with fescue, benefit greatly from aeration and overseeding in early fall. Fescue grass thrives in cooler temperatures, making fall the ideal time for these activities.
- Thatching: If you plan to overseed, light thatching helps seeds make better contact with the soil. A follow-up mowing at a cutting height of 2-2.5 inches allows more light to reach the plant base, promoting healthy growth.
- Aeration: Aeration is critical for lawns on compacted soils, which are common in Virginia’s clay-heavy regions, particularly in Richmond and Charlottesville. If your soil is compacted, aerating will help improve root penetration and water absorption, giving your lawn a strong foundation for the cooler months. Combine aeration with overseeding for optimal results.
- Overseeding: For cool-season grass types, overseeding with 4 lbs. of turf-type grass seed per 1000 sq. ft. ensures a fuller lawn. Avoid overseeding after October 15, as the soil temperatures may be too low for germination.
October Fertilization (Mid-October)
After the initial fertilization in August, your lawn needs a second round of nutrients by mid-October. By now, the overseeded grass should have been mowed 2-3 times.
- Apply Fertilizer: Use the same nitrogen rate of 0.7 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. (i.e., 2.5 lbs. of 28-0-4 fertilizer or 2.2 lbs. of 32-0-10 fertilizer). Allow 30 days between your two fertilizations. This timing allows the new grass to establish before the winter months.
Winter Weed Control (October 15 – November 15)
As new grass takes root, it’s crucial to control the common VA winter weeds such as chickweed, henbit, and dandelion.
- Weed Treatment: Apply a mixture of 2, 4-D, and dicamba or mecoprop (MCPP) to manage weeds. Be cautious when using dicamba near sensitive hardwoods like dogwoods or maples. Spot treatments are often more eco-friendly and cost-effective.
November Fertilization (November 1 – 15)
Before winter sets in, Virginia homeowners should apply a final round of fertilizer. Use 0.5 lbs. of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft., ensuring there’s at least 30 days between this application and your previous fertilization. This late fall feeding helps your lawn build up reserves to endure the cold winter months and bounce back strong in the spring.
Fall Lawn Care
A strong fall fertilization schedule sets the foundation for a healthy lawn all year long. Following this timeline for fertilization, overseeding, and weed control ensures your Virginia lawn will remain lush, green, and ready for anything next season.
To learn how to prepare your lawn for winter and fall lawn care tips, don’t hesitate to contact our team of Portsmouth lawn care professionals at Agronomic Lawn Management.
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