After a dry and hot summer full of wishing for cooler temperatures, we are starting to feel a change in the air. The trees in the skyline are beginning to change color (at least some of them). The nights have begun getting longer and layering has become a part of getting dressed every day. These are signs that winter is coming. How do we prepare? We throw on a pot of chili, warm some apple cider, and get in front of our fireplace. Outside of our house, we bring in our hanging plants, empty and unscrew our outdoor hose, pull down any hanging branches, and clear gutters of fallen leaves. How is the best way to prep your lawn for winter? Well, we are here to tell you.

How to Prep Your Lawn for an Atlanta Winter

These next couple of weeks when you should be prepping your turfgrass management program to promote a smooth transition into dormancy and a richer green-up next spring. What does that mean? Follow these tips and your lawn will easily transition between seasons and will be ready to pop back up healthy and strong next spring.

Just like different flowers, different types of grass must be cared for differently. For this reason, we have separated the tips by grass type.

Below, we have helpful tools for prepping Warm Season Turf-Bermuda and Zoysia grass versus Cool Season Turf-Fescue grass but you can always contact us for any other questions you may have.

Warm Season Turf-Bermuda

• • Raise cutting height by ½ inch
    • This grass does not need to watered frequently, but when you do water it, make sure to water deeply. You want to give it enough water to completely saturate the root.
    • To reduce evaporation, try to irrigate in the early mornings or evenings.
    • At Simply Green Lawn Care, we are applying pre-emergence to prevent weed growth. In order to be activated and to ensure it prevents winter weeds, pre-emergence needs to be watered in at least ½ inch.
  • Mulch grass clippings instead of bagging.

Cool Season Turf-Fescue grass

• • • When the temperatures are dropping and the seasons are changing, this grass begins to grow. It is important to keep it watered.
    • September and October are the best months to aerate and seed fescue lawns. In order for the seed to germinate and grow, the soil must be kept moist 7 days a week.
    • At Simply Green, we’re applying starter fertilizers to fescue lawns. In order for it to be activated, it must be watered.

Although we have given you some pointers on how to prep your lawn for the winter months, we are more than happy to help with any of your Atlanta lawn care needs. We can handle anything from lawn care to core aeration and fire ant control. Check out our website or contact us with any questions. We hope you and your lawn stay warm and cozy in these upcoming winter months.

If you’ve worked hard to create a beautifully lush lawn, you know how frustrating it can be when weeds crop up. Read on to learn the most common Georgia weeds (and how to get rid of them) from our team at Simply Green Lawn Care. 

The Most Common Lawn Weeds Around Atlanta

• Clover – Clover is pretty cute for a weed, but unfortunately it can wreak havoc on your lawn! This weed grows in patches that can take over your yard before you know it. Be careful not to contaminate your grass clippings with it, as this can allow the clover to spread.
• Dandelions – Another contender for cutest weed, dandelions can nevertheless be an annoying lawn pest. Blowing the wispy seeds off a dandelion is a hallmark of childhood in Georgia, but unfortunately the same thing that makes them irresistible to kids also makes them adept at spreading throughout your lawn. 
• Bluegrass – Bluegrass infestations are particularly insidious because the weed is perennial (meaning it grows at all times of the year) and the prominent seed structure of the weed means that it re-seeds itself. 
• Yellow Nutsedge – At first, yellow nutsedge isn’t that noticeable in your lawn, appearing much like a grass. However, once it’s established, you’ll see that this weed grows unsightly yellow or brown seed heads. Yellow nutsedge is able to reproduce by seeds, creeping rhizomes, and tubers, making it a very effective invasive plant. 
• Crab Grass –  No list of Georgia weeds is complete without crab grass. This lawn weed is ugly and tenacious, even managing to grow in cracks in your driveway or walkway, between bricks, and wherever else it can find footing. 

The best way to fight weeds is through expert weed control and fertilization. At Simply Green Lawn Care, we offer Atlanta lawn care services designed to prevent weeds through application of pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. We also make sure your grass stays healthy (which is an important weed control element in its own right) by applying fertilizer, lime, etc. as needed throughout the year. Ready to weed out the invaders in your lawn? Schedule your Atlanta lawncare estimate with us today!