All good things come to an end. For many, it's the memories of summer vacations, kids having fun, evening gatherings, watching fireworks, and sizzling barbeques. While your flowers and lawn are getting ready for a long winter's nap, a little tender loving care will ensure they'll be back more beautiful than ever.

There's a tendency to call it quits at the end of summer. Many homeowners think the key to a vibrant spring lawn is to address things right after the snow melts. On the contrary, the lawn needs as much attention before winter as it does before spring—in some cases even more.

1. Keep your plants moist throughout the hard frost.
2. End the season with fertilizer and weed control.
3. Keep weeds at bay in your landscape beds.
4. Clean up leaves continually instead of all at once.
5. Don't cut back perennials before the hard frost.
6. Avoid deadheading to prevent growth at the wrong time.

When the temperature cools, it doesn't mean plants stop getting thirsty. They still need water even during the hard frost.

It is best to fertilize the lawn and apply any necessary weed control at the end of summer. This will put your lawn in good shape for the long winter nap.

If you have landscape beds, be sure to brush the weeds away. Leaving them hanging around will cause havoc to your lovely arrangement. It might even proliferate and kill valuable plants and flowers.

Don't wait for the last leaf to fall off the tree before you start raking. It's better to tackle leaves continually than all at once. You want to get them up before they get wet and insulate mold and mildew on your lawn. And definitely don't leave them on the ground during winter!

Leave the perennials alone until there's a hard frost. Then you can eagerly cut them back.

Deadheading can lead to a growth spurt. You don't want to expose flowers to bloom at the wrong time. It's best to leave the plants alone until spring.

One of the blessings of saying goodbye to summer is knowing that spring will come again—and then summer. Here in the Midwest, we are lucky to experience all four seasons. Not every resident throughout the country can say that. Seasons are a great way to measure time and allow one to appreciate the passing of it. With that extra tender loving care you give your lawn at the end of summer, you can count on a beautiful landscape in spring!

You may have noticed some brown spots on your lawn recently. While it may be quick to conclude that the discoloration was caused by those hot summer days we had these past two months, it could be something else; it could be Ascochyta leaf blight.

What is Ascochyta leaf blight?

Ascochyta leaf blight is a fungal disease that causes lawns to discolor. It is often confused with drought stress. In spite of the leaf blades turning brown, the roots remain healthy in Ascochyta leaf blight. Fortunately, with the right treatment, recovery can be quick.

What should you do?

If you suspect Ascochyta leaf blight, don't go running to the store for fertilizer. Instead, water deeply and infrequently (2-3 times per week) before dawn if possible. This will cleanse the lawn of the fungus and allow it to dry out in the sun. Do this continually until your lawn turns green again.

When to call in the pros.

If you're not having any luck with this procedure, it may be time to contact LawnCare by Walter. Further treatments may be required—or it might not be Ascochyta leaf blight after all, but something more serious. In any case, we'll get your lawn looking like it should in no time!