Like any other plant species, weeds stabilize the soil, adding nutrients and organic matter and creating a balanced ecosystem overall. The fall season is a perfect blend of moisture, nutrients, and energy that supports the sprouting of weeds that escape the harsh winter season by being semi-dormant. If you miss getting rid of the weeds in the fall when they absorb energy to their fullest, it means they'll surge in growth, taking over garden beds come spring. If you're at a point in life where a lush green lawn devoid of weeds is your greatest wish, then this article is for you. 

Autumn is the best season to curb the spread of cold-tolerant species that later sprout early in spring when weeds are seeding. This is also the time when they fully transfer nutrients for proper growth. The following are three types of weed to get rid of in autumn.

1. Clover

The presence of clover on the lawn may be a nuisance or blessing, depending on your personal opinion. Though they might help fix nitrogen, they attract pollinators, which increases your chances of being stung on your property. They also compete with grass for nutrients. You can eliminate clover through preventive measures, or you can completely get rid of them, depending on how vastly they've grown. 

Encouraging grass to thrive on your lawn is a preventive way of getting rid of clover. This is done by feeding your lawn with organic fertilizer rich in potassium. Mowing the grass higher than 3 inches also curbs the spread of clovers since the grass outgrows clovers at a considerable rate. Other methods of getting rid of clovers are pulling it out by hand, using selective weed killers, depriving clover of sunlight, or using corn meal gluten. 

2. Crabgrass

Each crabgrass plant produces thousands of seeds in the fall that await the spring to germinate. The best way to prevent them from growing on your lawn is by appropriate watering. These overseeding regions appear thin, fertilizing the grass properly to help outgrow germinating seeds. Add enough water, and you can flush them out.

Before the crabgrass seeds germinate, you should use a crabgrass preventer. However, you'll have to use a reliable selective herbicide harmless to your grass once they sprout if you want to get rid of them.

3. Dandelions

Many weeds can be removed by hand using a spade and tugging them out manually. This case is, however, different with dandelions. They have a deep taproot allowing them to sprout quicker than other weeds. The bright, cheery yellow flowers bloom and white balls parachute to different lawn parts with seeds. The next thing is a lawn you're not proud of. 

Eradicate dandelions by fully uprooting them or using broadleaf herbicides. After digging up the weed, it's recommended to control dandelion spread by filling the hole with pre-emergent herbicide and soil. This discourages any weed from taking up the spot. As a follow-up strategy, you should water deeply after long periods to encourage the deep root system.

With the winter season approaching, you may need to prepare your lawn for it. After all, you won't be able to mow your lawn if it's covered in snow, so what do you need to do for your lawn before the snow arrives? We have three tips for your last mowing session so you can prepare your lawn for the winter.

Cut It 2 1/2 Inches

Some people get worried about the length of their lawns. After all, you don't want your grass to be too short, but you may want to cut it a bit shorter than usual for the winter. We recommend that you cut it down to 2 1/2 inches for the winter season so your lawn can be ready for spring.

Two-and-a-half inches is a great length because it won't damage your lawn and your lawn won't be too long once the snow melts. Most lawnmowers will let you adjust the height so you can cut it to the length you prefer. So make sure you cut your grass to 2 1/2 inches if you plan to make your last mowing session a success.

Bag the Clippings

As you mow your lawn, your bag may spill some of the grass clippings out of it. The grass clippings could then get stuck in your lawn. While this may not normally be an issue since the wind can blow it away, you wouldn't want these clippings there during the winter.

If you have grass clippings on your lawn, then they will be stuck on your grass for months. The snow will keep the clippings there and they could damage your lawn, so make sure you spend some time during your last mowing session removing grass clippings from your lawn.

Remove Debris

Many people remember lawn clippings, but they'll overlook the debris on their lawns. Make sure you remove any debris so it won't get stuck on your lawn during the snowy months. This can include leaves, branches and any other loose pieces that could cause problems for you if the snow trapped them on your lawn.

It's easier to remove this debris during the autumn season instead of the winter. On top of this, debris can prevent you from properly cutting your lawn, so you'll want to remove them before your last session anyway. This way, you can make your last mowing session as smooth as possible while you prepare your lawn for the winter.

It's important to prepare your lawn for the winter seasons, so these three tips will help you to do so. Doing so will help you to avoid ruining or damaging your lawn during the winter. After all, you will need to tend to it again in the spring, so you should do your best to keep it healthy.