Fall is the THE MOST IMPORTANT time of year if you’re setting your sights on a luscious, thriving, gorgeous lawn. We’ve got the whole process written out on this blog post. When you go to actually implement each step, it can be overwhelming to select the best equipment for the job so we rounded up our favs! Let us know what you use and tag us on Instagram so we can see.
Some of these are worth the investment to purchase and others might be better just rented. If you’re local to the foothills of North Carolina like us, Cooke Rentals is our go-to spot for any gear we need to use. Even if you aren’t local to us, you can search for equipment rentals in your area and you’ll often find that party rental companies also have lawn equipment!
Aerator Tools
We suggest renting your aerator equipment because you’re only using it once each year.
1. Walk-behind Aerator: This machinery is the most affordable route and allows you to walk behind it every step of the way. If you have a small or medium-sized yard, this will do the trick and allow you to get your steps in too. Note: if steep hillsides are on your property, plan to utilize this tool for safety purposes.
Rental option from Cooke
2. Self-propelled Aerator with Belkie: With a slightly larger coverage area and a belkie (the platform you stand on!), this one will get the job done more efficiently.
Rental option from Cooke
3. Drum Aerator: If you have a tractor or ATV, this is a great option to pull behind the machinery. This is good for an average-sized yard.
Rental option from Cooke
4. PTO-driven Aerevator: Another great option for the solid tine aeration is this beast. It uses a PTO shaft to turn and the added vibration helps to break up hard ground and open it up. This option works best for really large areas.
Rental option from Cooke
5. All-in-One: A plugger with the seedbox attached allows you to make the most of your rental! Fawn: any more details you want to add here?
Rental option from Cooke
Seeding Tools
Select the best option for you and the Amazon wizards will have it on your doorstep in just a couple days!
6. Handheld Spreader: For a small-sized yard, this is a great option because you eliminate bulky equipment. It has a calibrated flow rate adjuster and its commercial grade.
7. Compact Broadcast Spreader: This is another great option if you have a small area to cover. This one is operated by pushing but it’s small enough that it’s easy to store when you’re not using it.
8. Broadcast Spreader: This tool is ideal if you have a large yard. The hopper size is much larger (so you won’t have to constantly be refilling it!) and the tires make it easier to maneuver around your lawn.
Seed
Once you have your method selected for how you’ll spread the seed, you’ll also need to purchase the seed itself. Here are our favorite options:
9. LebanonTurf Winning Colors Blend: This is a premium quality tall fescue blend and this seed is ideal for establishing new turf.
10. Highlander Fescue Seed with Bluegrass Mixture: Highlander II Fescue grass seed is a mixture of a high quality tall fescue with 10% Kentucky Bluegrass seed. This mix creates a dark green, full season turf that requires less water than a pure bluegrass lawn. This is the same seed that is used on tall fescue sod fields, which means it’s durable, easier to maintain and a great choice. This grass performs well in direct sun or the shade and can handle a lot of traffic. The bluegrass aids in keeping the grass full and visually appealing.
Pro Tip: For your tall fescue seed options, we recommend buying a big size (50 lbs) and going to a supply store that sells commercial products. This saves you money in the long run and ensures you’re getting a professionally used product.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer should be applied every year as the summer temperatures cool down.
11. Lawnifi Fall Fertilizer: if you want to take care of your lawn without having to stop and think about it, Lawnifi is exactly what you need. You get a box customized to care for your lawn during that season. Their fall box includes one bottle of boost, maintain, and recover.
See our entire review here!
12. The Anderson’s Premium New Lawn Starter: You will want to apply a starter fertilizer to help promote the newly germinated grass seeds to take root in the soil. This will be reflected with the second number in the fertilizer ratio (N-P-K) being higher. Phosphorus (P) is going to encourage the roots to be healthy and happy before going into the cooler winter months.
See our introduction to fertilizers here!
Sprinkler + Watering Systems
Once you’ve done all this to plant new grass babies, you’ve got to take care of them!
13. Heavy Duty Portable Sprinkler: This bad boy is designed to last for years and it won’t move while it’s in use. Bonus: it works with both one inch and 3/4 inch hose and the adapters are included!
14. Elevated Impact Sprinkler for Large Lawns: This one is designed with your large lawn in mind. With 50% more coverage, you’ll accomplish the job quicker!
15. Kink-resistant Water Hose: If it’s time to upgrade your hose, this is a favorite! It’s a gorgeous graphite color and it’s virtually indestructible.
16. B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer: We believe in working smarter, not harder. Imagine a morning where you roll out of bed knowing that your grass has already been watered with the touch of a button. Now that’s plant lady living!
If you’ve never tackled your lawn, this is your year! Your lawn is full of hundreds of thousands… (maybe even millions?!) of tiny little plant babies. Once you start caring for your lawn, you’ll be invested and so proud to watch them grow. You’ll never go back to a clover-filled space again! Send us your questions at info@thoseplantladies.com… tag us with your lawn pictures on Instagram!
