Colorado's unusually dry summer has made this fall a little different. Rather than focusing on creating the perfect lawn before winter, the priority should be helping your landscape recover from months of heat and limited moisture.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is shutting off irrigation too early. Continue watering until the first hard freeze, typically in mid to late October. A lawn that enters winter dry is more susceptible to winter damage and may struggle to recover next spring. After sprinkler systems have been winterized, continue watering trees and shrubs on warmer winter days when conditions allow.
Fall is also the ideal time to aerate. Summer heat and heavy use compact soil, making it harder for water and nutrients to reach the roots. Aeration relieves that compaction and helps your lawn absorb moisture before winter dormancy.
Late fall is also the right time for a winter fertilizer. Unlike spring fertilizer, the goal isn't rapid top growth but stronger root development during the dormant season. If your lawn is severely drought-stressed, use a slow-release product and avoid over-fertilizing.
Fall is also one of the best times to plant trees and shrubs, giving roots time to establish before next summer's heat. Many homeowners are also replacing thirsty turf with lower-water landscaping that's better suited to Colorado's climate.
Don't forget the house. Before winter arrives, blow out sprinkler systems, disconnect garden hoses, clean gutters, service your furnace, replace HVAC filters, check weatherstripping around doors and windows, and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A few hours of maintenance this fall can help prevent costly repairs later.