Tip #1: Fertilize shrubs, trees, and groundcovers in your landscape.
Use a well-balanced shrub and tree food containing micronutrients, such as iron, to fertilize ornamental plants and trees in your landscape. Alternatively, you may use an organic or natural plant food. Fall fertilization should be timed so that it is done at least 2 months prior to the typical first frost date in your region.
Tip #2: Fertilize Fescue lawns in mid to late September.
Fertilize your fescue lawn when daytime temperatures are averaging 80 degrees F or below. For fall feeding, broadcast a high nitrogen lawn fertilizer over your Fescue lawn. Nitrogen is the first number in fertilizer. To know how much fertilizer to apply, measure your lawn area(s) for square footage. To determine total square footage, measure and then multiply length x width of lawn area(s).
Tip #3: Apply pelletized lime at this time to Fescue, Bermuda, and Zoysia lawns.
Lime is not a fertilizer, however, you may notice after applying it that your lawn greens up quickly. This is due to the correction of the pH, which can unlock and releases fertilzers that have been applied in the past. If you have never applied lime to your lawn, a one-time application of 40 lbs standard pelletized lime per 500 -1,000 square feet usually corrects soil ph to a level sufficient for these grasses to thrive and for fertilizers applied to activate. Make sure to use "pellitized" lime as it activates instantly. Once pH is corrected no further applications of lime are necessary for several years. There are soil pH testing kits available at most local nursery and garden centers. Your local cooperative extension service can provide soil testing services.
Tip #4: You may seed or overseed Fescue lawns at this time.
Fall is the best season to plant or overseed a fescue lawn. There are two basic categories of fescue seed: "turf-type" and KY-31 Fescue. We recommend using turf-type fescues, such as Titan Ltd or Gold Standard Fescue, or a mixture of the two. Ky 31 Fescue is best suited for use in pastures. Broadcast fescue seed with a rotary-type walk behind or shoulder spreader. Feed newly seeded fescue lawns with a lawn starter fertilizer conatining plenty of phosphorus (middle number).
Tip #5: Apply lawn weed preventer to the lawn.
You can broadcast a lawn weed preventer, such as Team 2G, over your lawn the last week of September. Weed preventers kill weed seeds before or as they germinate.
Caution: If you are planning to overseed your Fescue lawn this Fall do not apply pre-emergent weed preventer at this time.
Tip #6: Fertilize Roses if you haven't done so within the last six weeks.
Feed roses every 6 weeks or so with a well-balanced rose fertilizer. Alternatively, you may use an organic or natural plant food.
