Fall Lawn Care Checklist | Are You Ready?

As the cooler days of autumn approach, it’s easy to think we can hang up our gardening tools and give fall lawn care a break. Actually, this is one of the most important times to tend to your lawn – before it goes dormant. 

With a little extra fall lawn treatment, you can set the stage for a lush, green garden when springtime rolls around again next year. Below, we’ll explore important fall lawn care tips, from fertilizing to raking, and beyond. 

Fall Lawn Care

The answer to, “Should I fertilize my lawn in the fall?” is a resounding yes. Fall lawn fertilizer is one of the most important tasks on this list because it ensures your grass develops strong, healthy roots before the winter frost sets in. 

As temperatures cool, grass shifts its focus from growing new blades to strengthening its root system. You can help it along by feeding it the right nutrients during this important time. 

Fertilizer provides essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which fuel the root growth that helps grass bounce back in the spring. 

The best time to apply fertilizer is about six weeks before the first expected frost, typically in early to mid-fall. This allows the grass to absorb the nutrients without overstimulating leaf growth late in the season. 

You’ll want to look for a slow-release fertilizer. You’ll also want to look for one with a balanced mix of nutrients, ideally with a slightly higher amount of potassium to boost cold tolerance. A nice ratio is about 10-8-12 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium). 

Lawn Mowing

It’s important to continue mowing well into the fall. The frequency in which you have to do this will gradually decrease as the weather cools. 

Keep mowing your lawn until the grass stops growing, usually sometime after the first frost. Leaving the grass too tall is an invitation for pests and disease. Meanwhile, cutting it too short can also weaken it before winter. 

As you prepare for your final mowing of the season, lower the mower blade to about two inches. This may help to prevent matting, which can lead to fungal diseases like snow mold. 

Then, instead of bagging your clippings, try to mulch them. Mulched grass breaks down quickly and can return valuable nutrients to the soil. Here’s more on the benefits of leaving grass clipping on your lawn. 

Raking to Remove Fallen Leaves

Those beautiful autumnal leaves may look lovely on your lawn. However, they can cause significant damage if you leave them there for too long. 

A thick layer of leaves can suffocate your grass, blocking the light and trapping moisture, which may only lead to future disease. 

If the leaf cover is light, you can mulch them with your mower. The shredded leaves will decompose and add organic matter to the soil. For heavier leaf coverage, you should rake them up to avoid smothering your grass. 

Seeding Bare Spots and Overseeding the Lawn

Fall is the best time to repair any thin or bare spots on your lawn. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass thrive in cooler temperatures and overseeding your lawn in the fall can help create strong roots before winter. 

For smaller, bare patches, scratch the soil with a rake, add some compost, and sprinkle grass seed accordingly. Then, gently rake the seed into the soil, water it thoroughly, and keep the area moist until you see grass sprouting. 

If your lawn is thinning, overall, consider overseeding the entire yard. This may improve the density of your turf and fill in any gaps, helping to keep pests and weeds at bay. Be sure to choose the grass seed blend that matches your region and the specific conditions of your lawn (i.e., shade, full sun, etc.). 

Watering to Maintain a Moisture Barrier

While it may seem counterintuitive to water your lawn as winter weather sets in, consistent moisture is critical for your lawn’s overall health. Your grass will still need water to establish deep roots, especially if you’re fertilizing and seeding. 

Water your lawn about once or twice a week, rather than a little bit every day. This should encourage deeper root growth, making the grass more drought-resistant during the winter. Be sure to reduce the rate at which you water when the fall rains arrive. The goal is to give your grass at least an inch of water per week. 

To know when rain showers will naturally assist you with your autumn lawn care, be sure to stay tuned to your local weather news. 

Tackling Fall Weeds

Finally, let’s talk about weeds. Weeds can still be a persistent problem, even in the cooler weather. Eliminating them now will help your garden when it resurrects in the springtime. 

If your lawn has a history of weeds like crabgrass or clover, apply a pre-emergent herbicide now to help prevent them from germinating. Be sure to apply this before the soil temperatures drop below 55°F. 

For any weeds that already exist, you can use a post-emergent herbicide. Fall is actually the best time to attack perennial weeds like dandelions because they’re currently storing energy in their roots for the winter and will be able to absorb herbicides more effectively. 

Happy Fall Gardening

In a way, fall lawn care is a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the seasons of life. Just as the animals are preparing to go into hibernation, so is a lot of the greenery around us. By taking care of things before winter fully sets in, you’re setting yourself up for a marvelous spring awakening. 

As the seasons progress, check back in on our daily weather updates. We’ll do everything we can to help you know what to expect as winter storm season sets in, and when we can start anticipating the return of spring.