Every year cooler temperatures signal a new round of seasonal chores, like swapping screens for storm doors, cleaning and storing patio furniture, and checking for air leaks around the home. Many Americans also use this time to prepare lawn equipment for winter storage, but experts at John Deere say, “Not so fast.” Riding lawn attachments, have revolutionized the way homeowners approach fall and winter yard work so now you can do more than just mow.

Fertilizing

Late fall is one of the best times to fertilize a lawn. One final dose of fertilizer before the cold weather strikes is good for strengthening roots and increasing the nitrogen stored for an earlier spring green; while the top growth of the grass stops, all energy is reserved for the following season. The specific time of day you fertilize depends on the current weather conditions, and fertilizer should not be applied if rain is in the immediate 24-hour forecast.

Instead of pacing the yard with a cart or hand-held bucket, John Deere suggests attaching a tow behind spreader to a lawn mower or garden tractor to quickly spread fertilizer, seed and even ice melting products when the snowfall arrives.

Aerating

Aerating is ideal in cooler months for removing plugs of soil and thatch from a lawn. It encourages deep rooting, improves water and nutrient penetration, helps break down thatch and promotes growth of beneficial soil microorganisms.

In place of spiked shoes or spray-on liquids, options includes plug aerators, spike aerators and thatcherators that easily attach behind a tractor and removes plugs of soil from two to three-inches deep.

Mulching

If you prefer not to rake or bag grass or leaves, mulching is an ideal alternative. Be sure to mulch leaves only when they are dry since mulching wet or damp leaves can cause build up or make your engine work harder and use more fuel. Remember that grass needs sunlight in the fall to help store food for winter, so be careful when mulching this time of year. A thin layer of mulched leaves will do and helps add nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer.

Composting

Creating a compost pile allows you to take advantage of decomposed organic material to create a rich soil. The fall season is a good time to create a compost pile with decaying matter throughout the yard, like vegetables, grass clippings and leaves, which contain the nutrients necessary to add nitrogen the soil needs for planting come spring. Be sure to alternate layers of “brown material,” or high carbon materials, with your grass clippings.

Using a rear bagger with your lawn mower or tractor will help make collecting grass clippings a breeze. You can also collect materials with a blade or shovel to easily and efficiently create your compost pile. When winter strikes, you can use these attachments to plow, pick up and transport snow.

If you prefer to store your lawn equipment this winter, be sure to do it properly. John Deere recommends tightening all nuts and bolts, checking belts, filters and safety shields, changing the oil, sharpening the blade, and adding a fuel stabilizer to help protect against clogs in the carburetor from old fuel (note: after adding the stabilizer, run the engine for five minutes).

For more information, lawn care tips and to find a variety of mower and tractor attachments, visit www.johndeere.com/homeowners and www.readytomow.com.