As fall begins to take shape in the Midwest, many will soon begin to prepare their homes for winter. An often overlooked aspect of a home is the yard, and fall is one of the best times to make your yard shine. REALTOR® Magazine recently published an article based on tips from Trey Rogers, a professor of turfgrass management in the crop and soil sciences department at Michigan State University. These bits of advice can be helpful nuggets to pass on to your clients trying to sell their home or as a way to improve the curb appeal of your homes.

Reseed. Many lawns end up with bare spots from the summer, but Rogers insists that fall is also the best time to reseed grass. It is important to thoroughly seed and water yards with crabgrass as the patches will turn purple with the first frost.

Weed. The next step is handling weeds and dandelions. The beginning of October are ideal for spraying a liquid breadleaf herbicide over the yard. This is a sure way to ensure fewer dandelions in the spring since weeds germinate in the fall.

Mow. Don’t forget to continue mowing and watering your lawn through mid-October. It is ideal to mow with the blade set at 2 to 3 inches about twice a week.

Mulch. Make sure your lawn can breathe by clearing away leaves and other debris. If your lawnmower has a blade for mulching, grind up leaves and mulch them back into the yard. This adds nutrients to your lawn and also serves as an organic weed controller. Maple leaves are especially effective as a natural herbicide toward dandelions, according to Rogers.

Accent. Embrace the natural fall colors that adorn your yard. Accent your lawn with potted mums or dogwood bushes. Holly also adds a nice seasonal touch as the red berries standout.

Do you have your own landscaping advice for homeowners this fall? How do you plan to preserve your yard’s beauty until spring?

Make an appointment to view the beautifully landscaped community at Highland Woods. You can view one of our 15 professionally decorated models and see for yourself what makes our master-planned community unique.