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"Tall fescue lawns that have become thin over the summer can be thickened up by overseeding during September. Start by mowing the grass short (1 to 1.5 inches) and removing the clippings. This will make it easier to achieve good seed-soil contact and increase the amount of light that will reach the young seedlings.

Good seed-soil contact is vital if the overseeding is to be successful. Excess thatch can prevent seed from reaching the soil and germinating. Normally we want 1/4 inch of thatch or less when overseeding. If the thatch layer is 3/4 inch or more, it is usually easiest to use a sod cutter to remove it and start over with a new lawn. A power rake can be used to reduce a thatch layer that is less than 3/4 inch but more than a quarter inch.

Once thatch is under control, the soil should be prepared for the seed. This can be done in various ways. For small spots, a hand rake can be used to roughen up the soil before the seed is applied,

A verticut machine has solid vertical blades that can be set to cut furrows in the soil. It is best to go two different directions with the machine. A slit seeder is a verticut machine with a seed hopper added so the soil prep and seeding operation are combined. Another option is to use a core aerator.

The core aerator will punch holes in the soil and deposit the soil cores on the surface of the ground. Each hole produces an excellent environment for seed germination and growth. Make three to four passes with the core aerator to ensure enough holes for the seed. Using a core aerator has the additional benefit of reducing the amount of watering needed to get the seed germinated and growing. Aeration also increases the water infiltration rate, decreases compaction, and increases the amount of oxygen in the soil.

Of the three methods, I prefer the slit seeder for obtaining good seed/soil contact. However, if watering is difficult, core aeration may be a better option. Regardless of method used, fertilizer should be applied at the rate suggested by a soil test, or a starter fertilizer should be used at the rate suggested on the bag." (Ward Upham) 

http://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/2018/Aug28_2018_34.pdf

"Planting Trees in the Fall The fall season can be an excellent time to plant trees. During the spring, soils are cold and may be so wet that low oxygen levels inhibit root growth. The warm and moist soils normally associated with fall encourage root growth. Fall root growth means the tree becomes established months before a spring-planted tree and is better able to withstand summer stresses. The best time to plant trees in the fall is early September to late October. This is early enough that roots can become established before the ground freezes. Unfortunately, certain trees do not produce significant root growth during the fall and are better planted in the spring. These include beech, birch, redbud, magnolia, tulip poplar, willow oak, scarlet oak, black oak, willows, and dogwood.

Fall-planted trees require some special care. Remember, that roots are actively growing even though the top is dormant. Make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy. This may require watering not only in the fall but also during the winter months if we experience warm spells that dry the soil. Mulch also is helpful because it minimizes moisture loss and slows the cooling of the soil so root growth continues as long as possible." (Ward Upham)

http://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/2018/Sept18_2018_37.pdf

As the cooler weather arrives, you might be wondering what to do with your yard? Do you need to leave it longer or cut it shorter? These are both very good questions to ask yourself. Some say that it's better to leave the grass longer, to help insulate the crown of the grass blades. This can also lead to the grass laying over and matting creating winter diseases. Leaving the grass taller does not help the hardiness of the grass, so it's best to cut each type of grass too it's own specific height.

Here is a list of the recommended mowing height ranges (in inches) for home lawns in Kansas:

Tall fescue 2.5 -3.5 

Kentucky bluegrass 2-3

Buffalograss 2-3 

Bermudagrass 1-2 

Zoysiagrass 1-2 

(Note: Mowing at heights below 1.5 inches requires a reelmower). 

http://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/2018/October2_2018_39.pdf

(Ward Upham)