Fall is the time to renovate our cool-season lawns following are recommendations (aka lawn chores) for this late-summer to early fall growing season.

First analyze your soil. If your soil has become compacted or is very heavy clay, it is best to aerate prior to seeding. Hollow tine aerators work the best. Soil must be slightly moist for successful aeration. If soils are dry the aerator tines will simply bounce off the soil surface, not reaching the correct depth. I always core aerate a few days after it rains.

Overseed after aerating. If there are any bare spots I typically rough up the soil with a hard-tooth rake to provide good seed-to-soil contact.

And of course when overseeding do not forget to keep the seedbed moist, not saturated! A deep watering is not as essential at this point. As the seed germinates and becomes established you can decrease your watering frequency while increasing the watering time. Mow your turf after the new grass seedlings reach two- or three-inches. Cool season grass prefers a cutting height between two- to four-inches.

Head over to Extension's website LawnTalk for more great information on renovating your lawn.

August 12 I will be giving a fall lawn care workshop at the Knox County Extension office. We will go over renovation and other cultural practices. Plus demonstrations of various lawn equipment. Register today! https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=12761