Your Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing your Lawn for Winter

As the leaves change color and the crisp fall air sets in, it's time to give your lawn some much-needed TLC. Fall is a crucial time for lawn care as it prepares your grass for the challenging winter months ahead. Here are some common fall lawn maintenance tips and tricks that you can perform to ensure a healthy and green lawn come spring.

Why Fall Lawn Care is Essential
During the fall, your lawn is busy absorbing energy, moisture, and nutrients in preparation for a long, dormant winter. Giving it a little extra attention now can make a huge difference next year. Plus, by doing these tasks in the fall, you'll be saving yourself some work once spring rolls around.

Step 1: Keep on Mowing

As the temperatures begin to cool off and visible grass growth slows, you may want to put the lawn mower away for the winter. However, it is a good idea to continue to mow your lawn throughout the fall. 

As the season ends, adjust your mower's height to cut the grass shorter - about 1.5 to 2 inches high.

Shorter grass is less prone to disease, matting under winter snow, and destruction caused by voles. However, avoid cutting it too short as it can hinder the root system, making your lawn vulnerable to winter damage.

 Step 2: Rake the Leaves

Raking isn't just for aesthetics. Fallen leaves can smother your grass, blocking light and reducing water evaporation, which can lead to fungal diseases. 

By raking your leaves in the fall, you allow for full sun exposure during the fall months and after winter passes. This allows for healthy spring growth and a successful growing season. 

In general, regular raking or leaf blowing is a good idea to keep your lawn clean and healthy. Plus, you may even burn a couple of calories. 

Step 3: Overseeding

Overseeding compensates for the natural slowdown of the grass' reproduction process. It helps fill in areas of your lawn where the grass has become thin or bare, enhancing its density and color.

The best time to overseed is during early fall, between mid-August and late September. However, be weary of changing weather conditions, as the first frost will often kill grass seedlings.  

Before you seed, it is best to mow your lawn. Lower your mower to cut your lawn shorter at approximatly 1.5 - 2 inches, while removing fallen leaves and clippings. Then, spread the seeds evenly across your lawn and lightly water daily until the new seeds germinate and establish.

Step 4: Fertilize

Fertilizing in the fall is beneficial because while the grass leaf growth will slow as the temperature drops, the roots will continue to grow rapidly. Furthermore, the fall is the last chance for your lawn to restore its density and strengthen itself after the stressful summer growing season. 

Applying fertilizer supplies essential nutrients that help your lawn recover from summer stress, strengthen the roots, and store food for winter survival. The result is a healthier and greener lawn come spring.

Pro Tip: If you have an older or established lawn with a solid root system, give your lawn some food to grow and stay healthy before the winter. The best fertilizer for this type of lawn is a 32-0-4, since the nitrogen will help the grass to continue to grow and the potassium will help boost the process. 

Step 5: Weed Control

Weeds, like grass, absorb a lot of nutrients in the fall. Therefore, it is important to get them under control. 

If you apply weed control in the fall, you are hitting the weeds in one of their most vulnerable times, making it difficult for them to survive the winter.

Strong weed control practices in the fall will allow your grass to absorb the proper nutrients, while reducing weed population for the next growing season.

Step 6: Adjust your Watering Schedule

As the weather cools, your lawn needs less water, but don't stop watering abruptly. Gradually reduce your watering schedule until the ground freezes.

Finally, give your lawn one last deep watering session before the first freeze to provide the moisture it needs to survive the winter. 

Pro Tip: Don't forget to drain your hoses before you store them for the winter season. 

By following these steps, you're setting your lawn up for a successful winter and an even better spring.

Remember, the effort you put into your lawn now will pay off when the warm weather returns.

Not sure what you need to prepare your lawn for the Fall and Winter Season?

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