Need help with fall lawn care (Austin: house, organic, live)

[G Grasshopper]

I know that this sounds strange, in view of the water shortage, but I am still trying to take care of my front lawn. I grew up in Wisconsin, and we did a lot of raking and burning leaves in the fall. Then from age 17 to age 59 I have not lived in a house with a lawn that was my responsibility, so I am really a novice, despite my advanced years. So I need some advice.

My front yard is small, so I can take care of it myself. Despite the small size, I have 2 Spanish oaks and one Live oak, all mature in size. So the yard is mostly shady. The grass cover, however, has been fairly good. It is starting to look wimpy and thin lately. I decided this morning that I would go out and rake to get up the leaves and some acorns in preparation for one last mowing, since it seems mostly to have stopped growing for the season. My plan is to rake, mow, then apply a natural fertilizer that I have called "Fall Lawns Alive". Is this a good plan? There are still a lot of leaves on my trees, so I assume I will have to rake again at some point. I am watering once a week, in compliance with our water restrictions, and I deep water my trees every few weeks. Any suggestions?

[motherofthree]

Great plan. I have live oak in the front yard so no raking until spring. I pay my kids to pick up the acorns.

[RowdysMom]

Your plan is sound. Watering once a week and then watering the trees every couple of weeks is good. You should go ahead and get that fall fertilizer on the yard this week - it's recommended to do a fall feeding in Sept. or Oct.

[RowdysMom]

Oh and some good compost around the trees, out to the drip line is always good in both spring and fall.

[G Grasshopper]

Thank you all. I will get the fertilizer on in the next few days and put compost on, too. If I go out to the drip line of the trees, that is practically the whole yard, but that is OK. I already have some compost from the Natural Gardener, so I will just sprinkle that around. If we can believe the forecasts, there may be some rain next weekend, so best to get this done in the next few days. Thanks, y'all. I appreciate the support.

[CptnRn]

Check out the information here on lawn care and fertilizing. City of Austin - City of Austin - Grow Green They recommended that you aerate your lawn once a year and then apply 1/8" of compost. I noticed the Natural Gardener recommends 1/2" or less of compost. Natural Gardener: Helpful Information > Lawn Care Guide

[G Grasshopper]

Thanks, Cptn. You are always so good with the resources and links.