Keeping your lawn healthy and mowed at the proper height will help avoid these problems. When the temperatures begin to cool down, you can resume fertilizing. If you plan to reseed your grass, the best time is between August 15 and September 15. This gives the grass seeds plenty of time to germinate and establish themselves before freezing weather sets in. When thatch is more than one-half inch deep, power raking is recommended.
Thatch buildup is a major contributor to lawn diseases.
If your soil is highly compacted or a heavy clay, use a plug-type aerator that will loosen the soil, help reduce thatch buildup and allow better penetration of air, nutrients and water. August and September are good months to resume your fight against the more stubborn weeds. Plants are actively moving food down to the roots to store for winter, making applications of herbicides more effective. If your lawn tests show your soil is lacking in phosphorus, apply a winterizing fertilizer such Bachman's Lawn Winterizer. For an organic alternative, use Syncronicity or Ringer's Restore.