Lawn care Late summer or early fall is the best time to get your turf in shape for next year. Before you decide to renovate your lawn, try using the best mowing, watering, fertilizing and weed and pest management practices for a year or two. Pay special attention to problem areas and rake up and reseed bare or weed-infested spots. If your lawn is still more than 50 percent weeds, it might be time to consider a complete renovation. Planning is critical because during renovation your soil is unprotected and can easily be washed away into surface waters.
Temperatures are moderating, weeds are less competitive and moisture is usually adequate.
Control perennial vegetation. This step will keep other species from competing with your new grass. Keep traffic off the grass until the herbicide dries on the leaves. These herbicides are designed to kill any plant on contact but do not kill weed seeds. Once in contact with the soil these herbicides are inactivated.