Yes, it’s only a matter of time before your grass goes dormant. But, there’s still plenty of lawn love to give this season. Read on for some fall lawn care tips and don’t put that mower or rake away anytime soon.

Fall Lawn Care Tips

A lot happens to your yard in the fall. For one, you may have a lot of leaves to deal with soon. Plus, if you want a lush lawn next spring, there are still some steps to take. This is the time of year the weather gets cool and moist again—much to the joy of grass roots. You can take advantage of this cooler, comfortable weather by venturing outside and cleaning up your yard.

1. There’s still more to mow. Typically you don’t stop cutting the grass until the first frost. Once that happens, it’s time to winterize your mower. Make sure the blades are sharp, inspect for any damage, and keep all components clean before storing them.
2. There’s still more to water. Cooler temps mean that less rain is being evaporated, which is great for plants and for you (less work to do). However, keep that rain gauge out to make sure your plants are still being properly hydrated. Add water if it’s getting less than an inch of rain per week.
3. There’s a lot to rake. Once those leaves start falling, you’ll want to start raking or mulching. Don’t let your lawn get covered in a blanket of heavy, wet leaves. This invites pests and diseases. Rake up the leaves or mulch them with your mower and add it to the compost pile.
4. Aerate. The fall is the perfect time to revitalize your lawn with aeration. With all the foot traffic over the summer, the soil is probably compact and needs to breathe. Help it out by punching air holes into the soil and letting the light, water, and nutrients in. Focus on the brown spots or thinning grass.
5. Fertilize. Once you’ve aerated, you’ve opened up pathways for fertilizer to work its magic. Give your soil enough sustenance to survive the winter.
6. Reseed bare spots. Fill in where it’s thinning or brown with grass seed that will thrive in your area.
7. Prevent problems. From weeds to pests, an unhealthy lawn is a perfect place for problems to arise. Be proactive if you notice any signs or contact a professional for a thorough evaluation before it’s too late.

Lawn Care Schedule

There are quite a few things on your fall lawn care list, but you should make sure to time it all right. Done too early or too late, aerating, fertilizing, and reseeding may not take effect. Enlist the help of a lawn care professional to help you schedule everything properly for the season. Done correctly, you’ll be rewarded with a healthy, lush lawn next spring.