When to fertilize and kill weeds in Greene County, Ohio: October

Do this in October

• Mowing

  Keep mowing at 3 to 4 inches.

  The grass is still growing. Keep the one-third rule. [1][2]

• Seeding

  Finish by October 30, or wait until spring.

  OSU says that if seeding can't be done by October 30 in central and southern Ohio, it is best to postpone until spring. [3]

• Fertilizer

  This is the last good month to feed.

  OSU's turf scientists suggest fall fertilizer during peak growth in September and October. Grass takes up much less nitrogen in late fall, which raises the chance of it washing away. [4]

• Crabgrass and pre-emergents

  Spray winter annual weeds late in the month.

  OSU suggests a post-emergent in late October for winter annual weeds. [5]

• Grubs and weeds

  Treat dandelions and other broadleaf weeds late October into early November.

  OSU calls fall the best time to control most perennial broadleaf weeds. The best timing is around your last mowing and fertilizing, with air in the 40s and 50s and soil in the 50s. Ester formulations work better in cool weather. A fall application can control weeds for up to a year. [6]

  This depends on soil temperature, not the date.

  This is the nearest Ohio State weather station with live soil temperatures, just north of Greene County. It reports soil temperature at 5 cm (about 2 inches), the depth OSU uses for crabgrass timing.

  Check today's reading at the OSU CFAES Weather System, Western Agricultural Research Station (South Charleston, Clark County)

• Leaves and winter care

  Mow the leaves into the lawn.

  OSU suggests spreading leaves over the lawn and mowing over them in two directions, weekly. Research at Michigan State found that recycling leaves into the lawn doesn't add thatch. If there are too many chopped leaves to sift into the grass, remove and compost them. Leaves left on the lawn for a long time can kill patches. City leaf pickup details are on the local notes page. [3]