3 Key Takeaways
- Fall is a great time in Maryland to repair lawns with grass seed, fertilizer and fresh sod.
- Cooler weather creates good conditions for planting trees and shrubs, refreshing mulch and upgrading landscape beds.
- Fall is also a great time to tackle patios, walkways and other hardscape projects before winter arrives.
Fall is one of the best times of year to work on your landscape in Maryland. The extreme heat of summer begins to fade, cooler temperatures make outdoor projects more manageable, and there is still plenty of time to improve your lawn, landscape beds, and outdoor living areas before winter arrives. For many projects, fall conditions can actually be better than waiting until spring.
Whether you’re repairing a lawn that took a beating during the summer or finally getting around to that patio project, RELS Landscape Supply in Olney, Maryland has the materials you need to get the job done. Here are seven landscape projects worth tackling this fall and the products that can help you get started.
1. Repair Thin Areas with Grass Seed
Summer heat, dry weather, heavy foot traffic, and everyday use can leave a lawn looking thin or patchy by the end of August. Fall provides an opportunity to repair those areas before winter, and cooler temperatures can make it easier to keep newly seeded areas consistently moist while the grass becomes established.
Before spreading seed, remove dead grass and debris, loosen compacted soil, and make sure the new seed has good contact with the ground. Choosing quality grass seed that is appropriate for your lawn and growing conditions is also important. RELS carries a variety of grass seed products for homeowners and landscape professionals working on everything from small lawn repairs to larger properties.
2. Give Your Lawn a Boost with Fertilizer
Grass needs more than water to stay healthy. After dealing with Maryland’s summer heat, your lawn may benefit from additional nutrients as it heads into the cooler months. The right fall fertilizer can support root development and help your lawn maintain its overall health as the seasons change.
The type of fertilizer you need depends on your lawn, existing soil conditions, and what you’re trying to accomplish. Instead of simply grabbing the first bag you see, consider what your lawn actually needs. RELS offers professional-quality lawn fertilizers and can help you choose the right product and application approach for your property.
3. Replace Heavily Damaged Grass with Fresh Sod
Sometimes a lawn needs more than overseeding. If you’re dealing with large bare areas, extensive damage, or a section of the yard that needs a complete restart, fresh sod can provide a much faster transformation. Instead of waiting for an entire area to fill in from seed, sod gives you established grass from the beginning.
Fall can be a good time for sod installation because cooler temperatures reduce some of the stress caused by intense summer heat. Proper soil preparation and consistent watering are still important, especially while the roots are becoming established. RELS carries fresh sod in convenient 2-foot by 5-foot rolls for lawn repairs and new installations.
4. Add Trees and Shrubs to Your Landscape
Spring isn’t the only planting season. Fall can be an excellent time to add trees and shrubs because cooler air temperatures place less stress on new plants while the soil can remain warm enough for continued root development. This gives new plantings an opportunity to begin getting established before winter.
Take a look around your property and consider where a new tree could eventually provide shade or where shrubs could add privacy, color, or structure to an existing landscape bed. RELS carries a changing selection of trees and shrubs along with the soils, mulch, and other materials needed to properly install and care for them.
5. Refresh Landscape Beds with Mulch
Mulch is often treated as a spring project, but there are good reasons to refresh landscape beds in the fall as well. A proper layer of mulch helps the soil retain moisture, reduces weed growth, and provides additional protection around plant roots as temperatures begin to drop.
Fall mulch also gives your property a cleaner appearance after a long growing season. If summer weather has faded or thinned the mulch around your home, adding a fresh layer can quickly improve curb appeal while providing practical benefits for your plants. RELS offers a variety of bulk mulch products, making it easy to choose a color and style that works with your landscape.
6. Upgrade an Area with Decorative Stone
If you’re looking for a lower-maintenance landscape project, decorative stone can completely change the appearance of an outdoor space. Stone works well in landscape beds, around walkways, near foundations, and in areas where homeowners want an alternative to mulch.
Fall is a great time to tackle these projects because working with stone can involve a fair amount of lifting, digging, and preparation, all of which become much more comfortable once summer temperatures begin to cool down. RELS carries stone and gravel in a range of sizes, colors, and styles for both decorative and functional landscape projects.
7. Get Started on a Patio or Hardscape Project
You don’t have to wait until spring to improve your outdoor living space. Fall weather can provide excellent working conditions for installing a patio, walkway, retaining wall, or other hardscape feature, and completing the project now means it will already be waiting for you when warm weather returns.
RELS carries pavers, retaining wall systems, base materials, polymeric sand, and other hardscape products from leading manufacturers. Whether you’re a homeowner planning a backyard patio or a contractor preparing for a larger installation, getting materials lined up during the fall can help you make the most of the remaining construction season.
Make RELS Your First Stop for Fall Landscape Projects
The right materials can make a big difference in how your fall project turns out. RELS Landscape Supply carries grass seed, fertilizer, sod, trees and shrubs, mulch, decorative stone, pavers, retaining wall products, soils, and many other landscape supplies for homeowners and contractors throughout Maryland and the Washington, DC region.
Visit RELS in Olney, Maryland to explore our landscape products and talk with our team about what you’ll need for your project. You can also browse our project gallery for ideas before getting started, and if your project requires more material than you can haul yourself, RELS delivery services can bring bulk landscape and hardscape materials directly to your home or job site.