Search

Fall Lawn Care: Our Top 5 Tips

Share this post:

frost on lawn in the fall

It’s that time of year again… time for some fall lawn care to-dos. The leaves are dropping, the air is getting colder and it is time to start putting your lawn and landscape to bed for the winter. In northern Illinois, we’ve already had frost form in some low-lying areas. Can you believe it? I also got word from a franchise owner in northern Wisconsin that they’ve already gotten a hard frost in his area. Brr… I hope this winter isn’t as cold and horrible as the last one! Regardless of what Mother Nature brings us, following these top fall yard care tips will ensure your lawn weathers the winter in preparation for a healthy, green spring.

Fall Lawn Care Tip #1 – Leaves

For those of you in the north, dealing with leaves is the biggest challenge you face in the fall. There are numerous articles, including a recent blog post by yours truly, that explain it’s better to mulch your leaves than spend all the time and effort to rake them. I still remove leaves from the flower beds and gardens at my home.

Fall Lawn Care Tip #2 – Core Aeration

Another good fall activity for your lawn is core aeration. Fall is the best time for active root and rhizome growth in cool-season grasses. Aeration opens up the lawn to allow for better water, oxygen and nutrient penetration into the root zone. Roots will continue to develop as long as the soil temperatures are ideal for growth. Outside of fertilizing your lawn, core aeration is one of the best practices to ensure a healthy lawn.

Fall Lawn Care Tip #3 – Fall Fertilization

Fall is an excellent time to fertilize your lawn. You may not see any top growth, but the fertilizer will be stored by the plant as carbohydrates. This will allow for an earlier green-up next spring and will aid in root development, especially if the lawn has been aerated prior to applying the fertilizer.

Fall Lawn Care Tip #4 – To Mow or Not to Mow!

We used to say that you should mow your lawn short for the winter. University research has started to show us that this isn’t necessary anymore. The idea isn’t to just stop mowing and let your lawn grow 6 inches high, but you don’t need to scalp it either. A good rule of thumb is to drop the mowing height by one or two notches on your mower for your last few cuts. Just remember to raise it back up to the highest or second highest setting next spring.

Fall Lawn Care Tip #5 – Give Your Mower Some TLC

Now is the perfect time to service your lawn mower so it’s in perfect running shape for next spring! To start, it’s a great idea to take a hose to it and wash off the top. Cleaning the underside of the deck is also a good idea. Take the mower blade off and have it sharpened over the winter. Add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank or run it until all the gas is used up. Changing the oil and cleaning the air filter can also be completed in the fall. Doing these things now will mean that your lawn mower is ready to go next spring. Need a little help with your fall lawn and landscape care? Spring-Green has been giving homeowners extra time and peace of mind since 1977. Contact us to see what we can do for your yard!