As the crisp air of fall rolls in and the leaves start to change, it’s easy to think that lawn care can take a back seat. Proper fall lawn care is important for a healthy lawn throughout the winter and a beautiful green yard in the spring. With a little bit of effort now, you can set your lawn up for success in the months to come. Let’s take a look at some essential fall lawn care tasks—because even though summer is over, your lawn still needs a little love.
Keep Mowing
It might be tempting to retire the lawnmower for the season, but your grass still needs regular mowing in the fall. Of course, if you are like us, this is your favorite time of the year to mow with the temperatures being almost perfect, so this is no problem at all!
Continue to mow your lawn until the grass stops growing, usually after the first frost. Keeping the grass at a shorter length, around 2.5 to 3 inches, helps prevent diseases and keeps your yard looking tidy. If you let it grow too long, it can mat down under the leaves and snow, which could lead to problems like mold in the spring.
Aerate and Fertilize for a Healthy Lawn
Fall is the perfect time to aerate your lawn, especially if your yard sees a lot of foot traffic or the soil is compacted. Aeration allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the grass roots more effectively, giving your lawn the boost it needs to survive the winter. After aerating, be sure to fertilize. A good fall fertilizer high in potassium will strengthen the roots and help the grass store energy for the colder months ahead. This way, your lawn will come back lush and green in the spring.
Our Favorite Yard Fertilizer and Aerator
Our favorite yard fertilizer is Milorganite Long Lasting All Purpose Lawn Food. Milorganite is our favorite fertilizer because it’s not only effective but also eco-friendly. Made from recycled organic materials, it’s a slow-release fertilizer that feeds the lawn gradually, providing nutrients over an extended period. This helps prevent those frustrating growth spurts that require constant mowing, and it also reduces the risk of burning the grass. Milorganite is safe to use around kids and pets, so we can keep our yard green and healthy without worrying about harmful chemicals. It’s the perfect balance of performance and peace of mind.
Although it can be little crazy looking, Henry absolutely loves using aerator spike shoes. Mechanical aerators can be heavy and hard to maneuver, the spike shoes are lightweight and easy to store, taking up hardly any space in the garage. They also give you more control over where you aerate, allowing you to focus on high-traffic areas that might need extra attention. It’s such a simple tool, but he swears by the results, saying our lawn has never looked greener or healthier since he started using them.
Spruce Up Mulch
Fall is also a great time to refresh your mulch. Not only does this give your garden beds a clean, finished look, but it also helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture as the weather cools down. Adding a fresh layer of mulch can help protect your plants’ roots during the winter, ensuring they stay healthy and strong.
Clean Out Gutters
As the leaves start to fall, they can quickly clog up your gutters. It’s not the most glamorous task, but cleaning out your gutters in the fall is essential to prevent water damage to your home. Clogged gutters can lead to water overflow, which can cause damage to your roof, siding, and even your foundation. Get ahead of the game by cleaning them out regularly throughout the fall.
Store Lawn Furniture
If you’ve been enjoying your outdoor furniture all summer, now’s the time to start thinking about storing it away. Leaving lawn furniture out in the elements can lead to unnecessary wear and tear, not to mention it’s not fun to clean off snow and ice when you want to use it in the spring. Before storing, give everything a good wash, let it dry completely, and store it in a dry place, like a garage or shed. If you don’t have indoor storage, consider investing in heavy-duty covers to protect your furniture during the winter.
Clean Up Tools
Don’t forget to clean and store your lawn care tools. After a season of hard work, they deserve a little TLC. Cleaning off any dirt or grass clippings will help prevent rust and keep them in good condition for next year. For tools like lawnmowers, it’s a good idea to run them until the fuel tank is empty or add a fuel stabilizer to prevent the gas from gumming up the engine over the winter. Store everything in a dry, cool place to avoid any moisture damage.
By tackling these fall lawn care tasks, you’re not only keeping your yard looking great through the season, but you’re also setting the stage for a healthy and beautiful lawn come spring. It may seem like a lot of work now, but trust me, your future self (and your lawn) will thank you.
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