Mastering fall lawn care requires more than just standard routine maintenance—especially when battling summer drought conditions. Anthony Tuggle from UT/TSU Extension joins host Bryan Barrett to break down why dethatching, proper mowing heights, and irrigation are critical to preserving your tall fescue and cool-season turf grass this season. Learn how to avoid killing newly seeded grass, identify compacted soil, and protect your home landscape.
Discover actionable strategies to eliminate pesky fire ant colonies using the proven "Texas Two-Step" method, select low-maintenance evergreen trees for privacy, and choose the right cool-season vegetables like kale and collard greens for your fall garden. Plus, get expert advice on how affordable soil testing maximizes fertilizer efficiency and keeps your yard thriving year-round.
Key Takeaways:
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Dethatching vs. Aeration: Heavy thatch prevents seeds from reaching actual soil, causing roots to dry out and die under summer heat.
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Fire Ant Control: Using a combination of broadcast ant bait followed by a target liquid mound drench ("Texas Two-Step") yields the best results.
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Soil Testing Value: A $20 soil sample provides personalized pH and nutrient recommendations to prevent wasted fertilizer expenditure.
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Fall Vegetable Planting: Mid-to-late fall is the ideal window for planting cool-season crops like collards, kale, and radishes.
