Don’t Ditch Your Lawn Care Yet: Why Fall Maintenance Is Crucial

For those of us in cool climates, fall and winter mean we don’t have to be out mowing on a weekly basis. But our grass still needs attention to keep it healthy and ready to thrive come springtime.

“Every season of lawn care has a different rhythm, no matter where you are in the country,” says lawn care expert Craig Elworthy. “So by skipping seasons of lawn care, you might not give your lawn the nutrients, water or mowing height it needs to thrive.”

Here are some post-summer lawn maintenance tips and techniques to strengthen your grass and keep it healthy year-round.

Why People Stop Caring for Their Lawns After Summer

As summer wanes, many of us stop thinking about our lawns. We might get busy with school, and it’s just going to snow pretty soon anyway, right?

“But I tell friends and customers: post-summer lawn maintenance is what separates resilient lawns from needy ones,” says seed expert Troy Hake. “With some focused care in late summer and fall, you’ll help it rebuild strong roots, head into winter stronger and set yourself up for a faster, greener lawn come spring.”

Reasons Why Lawn Maintenance Is Important Year-Round?

Year-round lawn maintenance helps keep grass healthy, resilient and visually appealing. “After summer, lawns are often stressed from heat, drought and heavy foot traffic, making them more vulnerable to disease, pests and thinning,” says lawn care expert Chris Ramos. “Regular care repairs damage, replenishes nutrients and prepares the lawn for seasonal changes.”

Fall Lawn Maintenance

Post-summer lawn maintenance helps prepare grass for winter, plus give it the elements it needs to be successful once spring comes around.

“Fall lawn care is focused on recovery and preparation, making its priorities different from spring, which is focused on growth, and summer, which is focused on heat and drought stress management,” says lawn care expert Rob Palmer.

Aerate

All summer, your lawn is has been getting compacted from foot traffic, and by the fall it has also built up a layer of thatch. Aerating now will allow nutrients, water and air to reach the roots more effectively.

Fertilize

Late-season fertilization, with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, can help it withstand frost and disease. Sometimes this is also called a lawn winterizer.

“This can be the most important application of the year for some lawns, as it supplies grass with the necessary nutrients to survive the winter,” says Palmer.

Test soil first for nutrient deficiencies, and follow the product instructions. Over-application can burn your grass and contaminate groundwater and runoff.

Overseed

If you live in a cool climate, even if your lawn looks healthy, overseeding in fall will help fill in thinning and bare spots come spring. “Fall is the ideal time to overseed because cooler temperatures and increased rainfall create excellent conditions for new seed to germinate and establish before winter,” says Hake.

Control Weeds

Weeds that sprout during summer can be treated by applying post-emergents in late summer or early fall. In cool regions, Palmer recommends August to October, when temperatures are still warm, but before the weather becomes too cold.

Water and Mow

As grass growth begins to slow in the fall, wind down watering and mowing. The height to overwinter at depends on the species of turfgrass, but it’s important to keep grass shorter to avoid a fungal infection called snow mold, says George Reister of Husqvarna. “Many regions are prone to a warm week or two during the winter that can trap water under a layer of snow that then promotes the fungus,” he says.

But “You don’t want to give your lawn a huge cut all at once,” says Elworthy. “Start lowering your mower blade gradually over the fall in order to have a shorter cut going into the winter.”

Manage Debris

Mulch fallen leaves and remove them from the grass. “It’s important not to let them pile up, as they can block sunlight, prevent fertilizer from reaching the roots and interfere with seed germination,” says landscaper Skye Durrant.

But try to spread that leaf mulch elsewhere in your yard, as it will help return nutrients to the soil. Also, if you can, keep leaf piles in other areas around your yard and allow dead stalks to overwinter, as they greatly benefit birds, butterflies and other invertebrates and wildlife.

Winter Lawn Maintenance

Winter lawn maintenance requires less active care, but it’s still important to keep it on your task list.

Minimize Damage

Plows, salt, chemicals and foot traffic can all damage your grass in the winter. Stake out your driveway before the snow flies, to help guide plows. Also, don’t over-do it with the deicer, as that will dehydrate the soil, causing nutrient imbalance and burned or dead patches.

“You should also stay off your lawn, especially in frost and snow, to avoid compacting your soil heavily,” says turf specialist Chrissie Handle.

Pets can also cause issues over the winter. “Dogs often choose the same spots to urinate, and without rainfall or irrigation to dilute it, those areas can develop dead patches by spring,” says Durrant. “Try encouraging your pets to rotate where they go to help reduce concentrated damage.”

Aerate

While aerating is mostly a fall task, it can also be helpful in winter. “If you find that you’re getting areas of water pooling on the lawn after rainfall, or the lawn is becoming boggy, you may want to aerate during winter with a garden fork, which helps soil structure, drainage and airflow to the soil,” says Handle.

What Happens If I Don’t Maintain My Lawn Year-Round?

The health and visual appeal of your grass can wain. “The turf thins, weeds move in and disease and pest issues climb,” says Hake. “Ultimately, what should be simple upkeep turns into costly renovation, and you’re stuck with a sluggish spring recovery.”

But, if you haven’t been keeping up on it, don’t sweat it too much, says Elworthy. “All of these problems are ultimately solvable, so don’t worry if you’ve slacked on lawn care during a particular time,” he says. “Lawns are plants and can usually be brought back with the right care and nutrients.”

FAQ

Which season is it easiest to care for a lawn?

It depends on where you live, and what tasks you define as “easy.” In cooler climates, in late spring and fall, growing conditions are at their best and grass is particularly resilient. In winter, there’s not a lot of maintenance to think about.

“Each season of lawn care comes with its own challenges and rewards,” says Durrant. “I wouldn’t say one is easier than another, but my lawn always looks its best in the fall.”

About the Experts

• Troy Hake is an avid gardener, lawn care expert and owner and founder of Outsidepride Seed Source a family-owned business based in Willamette Valley, Oregon.
• Craig Elworthy is founder of the natural DIY lawn care company Lawnbright, a lawn care subscription service featuring all natural products that are safe for kids and pets.
• Chrissie Handley is a lawn care specialist at Online Turf, a soil and compost supplier, and has extensive expertise in turf laying, grass maintenance and seasonal gardening.
• Chris Ramos is PR and events coordinator at Blain’s Farm & Fleet, an outdoor, home and garden store chain.
• George Reister is director of product management at Husqvarna, manufacturer outdoor home tools.
• Rob Palmer is brand President at Lawn Squad, a franchise offering local lawn care services and weed control.
• Skye Durrant is founder of LawnGuru, a platform that connects homeowners with top-tier landscaping pros across the USA, and also founder of Ventures Design landscape and design in Michigan.

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