Fall Fertilization Benefits

Join our Fertilization & Weed Control program to develop a thick, healthy lawn, the best defense against weeds. 

1. Root Strength: Fall fertilizer strengthens turf roots, ensuring protection throughout the harsh Minnesota winter. Essential NPK nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) stimulate the root system during the fall recovery period, resulting in stronger and deeper roots systems.

2. Winter Nutrient Storage: Essential nutrients are stored in “shoots” of the turf root systems during the winter dormant months, creating a reserve of nutrients. These nutrients are released in spring, allowing a healthier spring recovery and faster "greening" of the lawn.

Dethatching in Spring:

As spring approaches, schedule our dethatching services to remove excess thatch, preventing water and nutrient absorption issues. Our goal is to reduce, not eliminate, the thatch layer, providing a protective barrier for turf roots. In well-maintained lawns and newer sod, excessive thatch build-up is very common. Dethatching is usually completed in April, reach out in March to join our list, or fill out our 1-minute form for a quote in early spring by clicking here.

Cutting Perennials back & Winter Interest:

Cutting back perennials, especially plants like Hostas, Daylilies, Coneflowers, and so on, is crucial to promoting healthy regrowth in the spring. Before winter sets in, we recommend trimming these perennials several inches from the ground. This helps eliminate unsightly dead foliage and reduces the risk of diseases and pests during the dormant season. Moreover, cutting back perennials allows for better air circulation, helping prevent the development of fungal issues. It’s important to note while many perennials benefit from being cutback before winter, certain perennials, such as Ornamental Grasses (Karl Forester, Bluestem, Miscanthus), and Sedums like ‘Autumn Joy’ can be left standing to provide a touch of "winter interest" in the landscape. Not only does this add aesthetic appeal, but the plants also contribute nutritional content to the soil. This dual-purpose “winter interest” approach to perennial maintenance allows for visual appeal and aids in the landscape's overall health throughout the changing seasons. Any perennials left standing as “winter interest” are usually cut back in the spring, depending on personal preferences and the plant's specific needs.

Shielding Young Trees:

During the winter, certain tree species, especially young deciduous trees with thin bark, are susceptible to “sunscald” and “frost cracks” due to temperature fluctuations.  The most vulnerable trees are maples, fruit trees (like apple and cherry), and ornamental trees (like dogwoods). Sunscald occurs when the winter sun warms the bark of the tree during the day, leading to damage when temperatures drop at night. Frost cracks result from the rapid contraction and expansion of the tree trunk.

To protect susceptible trees, we recommend placing “tree guards” around the trunk, especially for young trees with a caliper (diameter) of less than four inches. While essential during colder months, remove the tree guard in spring.  Leaving the guard on during the growing season can impede the tree's natural development and may lead to issues like disease, pest infestation, or even girdling as the tree expands in girth.

Consider Wrapping Evergreen Shrubs:

Evergreen shrubs like Arborvitaes (Thuja spp.) are generally hardy but can be vulnerable to winter injury in specific situations. Last spring, we witnessed significant damage, with round-shaped arborvitaes spreading open, tall arborvitaes' mature branches splitting, and signs of major wind and salt damage. Remember, last winter was extreme, and such a year is unlikely to recur. While most evergreen shrubs are resilient, protection is advised in areas prone to damage, such as newer developments without mature trees, open windy spaces, near buildings where snow falls off the roof, or landscapes near walkways. Both winter winds and salt pose risks as they dry out the needles. These shrubs cannot uptake water like they do in summer months, sometimes resulting in discoloration like browning. Evergreen shrubs in these situations may benefit from burlap wrapping, acting as a protective barrier against wind and salt damage. Use breathable material, like burlap, wrap loosely, and remove in early spring to prevent issues from prolonged coverage. In many cases, well-established arborvitaes may not require wrapping.

Core Aeration

Aeration is vital for effective lawn care. Using a professional machine, we extract small plugs/cores from the soil, creating channels for deeper penetration of nutrients, oxygen, and water to the grassroots. This improves nutrient absorption, soil health, and stimulates root growth, resulting in a lusher, greener, and healthier turf. Yearly aeration is recommended, especially in areas with compacted clay soil. Nathan’s offers aeration with optional overseeding in both fall and spring—ideal times for this essential service. Reach out next season for a quote!

Dormant Seeding Advantage:

Discover the advantages of dormant seeding- repairing your lawn just before the snow flies. This method offers greatly reduced watering needs, freedom from the battles of fighting weeds while growing new grass, and provides early germination, allowing faster establishment in spring.