{"id":149615,"date":"2026-05-19T09:25:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T12:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=149615"},"modified":"2026-05-19T09:25:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T12:25:34","slug":"how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prep Your Lawn Before a Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You&#8217;ve packed your bags, set your out-of-office, and you&#8217;re ready to go. The last thing on your mind? Prepping your lawn before summer vacation. But come home to an overgrown, patchy, or storm-damaged yard and that post-vacation glow fades fast.<\/p>    <p>A little prep before you leave goes a long way. From mowing at the right height to securing loose yard items before a storm, these 6 simple steps and expert tips will keep your lawn healthy and your return home a lot more pleasant.<\/p>    <p>Travel preparations can be exhausting. For one less thing on your pre-vacation to-do list, let LawnStarter mow your lawn before you leave or while you&#8217;re away. Get a free, 2-minute <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">lawn mowing quote<\/a> today.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 Mow at your normal height; scalping (mowing too low) stresses your lawn<br>\u2022 Think twice before you fertilize; it&#8217;s safer to fertilize when you come back<br>\u2022 Check the weather forecast to know if you need any extra preparation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-7c141363-f95b-44c6-a555-dabc624c94c8\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">6 simple steps to prep your lawn before you leave:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/#0-1-know-your-lawns-needs-before-you-go\" style=\"\">1. Know Your Lawn&#8217;s Needs Before You Go<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/#1-2-give-your-lawn-a-last-mow\" style=\"\">2. Give Your Lawn a Last Mow<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/#2-3-prepare-your-watering-strategy\" style=\"\">3. Prepare Your Watering Strategy<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/#3-4-think-before-fertilizing\" style=\"\">4. Think Before Fertilizing<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/#4-5-control-weeds-and-pests\" style=\"\">5. Control Weeds and Pests<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/#5-6-prepare-your-yard-for-weather-events\" style=\"\">6. Prepare Your Yard for Weather Events<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/#6-extra-tips-before-you-head-out\" style=\"\">Extra Tips Before You Head Out<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-1-know-your-lawns-needs-before-you-go\">1. Know Your Lawn&#8217;s Needs Before You Go<\/h2>    <p>Before you do anything else, check what the weather will look like while you\u2019re away. A mild, rainy week is very different from a stretch of heat and sun, and your lawn prep should reflect that.<\/p>    <p>Sharon Sullivan, senior managing editor at LawnStarter, says, \u201cSince I do my own lawn care, I always have to prepare before leaving on vacation. I always check the forecast so I know what to expect. You can prepare if you know there is a tropical storm or hurricane coming, but the afternoon thunderstorms (in Florida) can be pretty severe.\u201d<\/p>    <p>If rain is in the forecast, you can ease up on watering and let nature handle it. But if temperatures are climbing or a dry spell is coming, you\u2019ll need to plan for extra irrigation so your grass doesn\u2019t dry out while you\u2019re gone.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>It\u2019s also worth considering your grass type to decide how much support it needs while you\u2019re away. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/warm-season-grass-growing-guide\/\">Warm-season grasses<\/a> tend to handle heat and short dry periods better, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/cool-season-grass-growing-guide\/\">cool-season grasses<\/a> can struggle more in hot weather.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/summer-lawn-care-guide\/\">Summer Lawn Care Guide<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-2-give-your-lawn-a-last-mow\">2. Give Your Lawn a Last Mow<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/lawn-worker-mowing.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Landscaper in work overalls mowing a bright green lawn in a well-kept garden surrounded by shrubs and sunlit trees.\" class=\"wp-image-147584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/lawn-worker-mowing.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/lawn-worker-mowing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/lawn-worker-mowing-656x437.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/lawn-worker-mowing-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/lawn-worker-mowing-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Landscaper mowing lawn. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/summer-lawn-maintenance-in-progress\/576366366\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tomasz Zajda<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>Cutting your grass extra short before a trip to \u201cbuy time\u201d usually backfires.<\/p>    <p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/bplmsk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Robert Polomski<\/a>, associate Extension specialist at Clemson, says, \u201cBy maintaining the appropriate height for your particular turfgrass, you will allow the root system to fully develop, helping the grass tolerate summer heat and stress. Avoid the temptation to reduce the height of your lawn because you want to make it less overgrown when you return home.\u201d<\/p>    <p>When Polomski is planning a trip, he doesn\u2019t usually raise the mowing height, nor does he lower it. <strong>His suggestion<\/strong>? \u201cA day or two before you leave, mow it at the normal height and forget about it.\u201d<\/p>    <p>As for Sullivan, that depends on the weather forecast: \u201cIf there is rain expected while I&#8217;m gone, I usually mow a little lower &#8211; maybe 1\/4 inch lower or so &#8211; so it isn&#8217;t too high when I get home. If we are in a drought, like we are right now, then I won&#8217;t lower my mower deck and cut lower. I&#8217;ll mow at my normal height.\u201d<\/p>    <p><strong>Stick to these pre-vacation mowing tips:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Never remove more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-is-one-third-rule-mowing-grass\/\">one-third of the grass blade<\/a> in a single mow.<\/li>    <li>Make sure your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-equipment\/how-to-sharpen-lawn-mower-blades\/\">mower blades are sharp<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Leave the clippings on the lawn so they break down and return moisture and nutrients while you\u2019re away.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019ll be gone longer than one week, hire a neighbor or a <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">local lawn care service<\/a> to mow while you\u2019re away.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-3-prepare-your-watering-strategy\">3. Prepare Your Watering Strategy<\/h2>    <p>Give your lawn a deep soak the morning you leave. The goal is to saturate the soil, not just wet the surface, so the roots have enough moisture to last while you\u2019re away.<\/p>    <p>If you have an irrigation system, set it to run early in the morning (between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.). This reduces evaporation and helps more water reach the roots where it\u2019s needed. If you hand-water with a hose, make sure to disconnect it to avoid water pressure buildup.<\/p>    <p>Keep an eye on the forecast, too. If rain or storms are expected while you\u2019re gone, you can scale back or skip watering. But if it looks dry or hot, make sure your system is set up to cover at least part of your lawn\u2019s weekly water needs while you\u2019re away.<\/p>    <p>For Polomski, having a rain sensor and making sure it is fully functional before you leave goes a long way.<\/p>    <p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Plan for landscaping beds, too. If your flowers or other ornamentals need water while you&#8217;re gone, ask a friend or neighbor to water these plants if your sprinklers don\u2019t cover them.<\/p>    <p><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-long-to-water-lawn-summer\/\">How Long to Water Your Lawn in Summer<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-4-think-before-fertilizing\">4. Think Before Fertilizing<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/granular-fertilizer-1.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Gardener in green uniform kneeling on grass, pouring blue granular fertilizer from black bucket into yellow lawn spreader outdoors.\" class=\"wp-image-148741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/granular-fertilizer-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/granular-fertilizer-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/granular-fertilizer-1-656x436.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/granular-fertilizer-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/granular-fertilizer-1-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Worker pouring fertilizing into a spreader. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/gardener-filling-his-handheld-spreader-with-granular-lawn-fertilizer\/559613638\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tomasz Zajda<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>Polomski says, \u201cI also recommend not fertilizing the lawn before you depart. Rain or irrigation water is necessary to dissolve the fertilizer granules to make them available to turfgrass roots. When I\u2019m home, I have better control of timing the fertilizer application with the weather than when I\u2019m away.\u201d<\/p>    <p>But if you plan to fertilize before your trip, keep it simple and low-risk:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Use a <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-is-slow-release-fertilizer\/\">slow-release fertilizer<\/a><strong> about a week before you leave:<\/strong> It feeds your lawn gradually without triggering fast growth that would need mowing.<\/li>    <li><strong>Avoid quick-release fertilizers right before your trip:<\/strong> They act fast, but can push too much growth, or stress the lawn if conditions turn hot and dry.<\/li>    <li><strong>When in doubt, skip it:<\/strong> It\u2019s safer to fertilize when you get back than to overdo it while you\u2019re away and can\u2019t monitor the results.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-5-control-weeds-and-pests\">5. Control Weeds and Pests<\/h2>    <p>Before you leave, take a quick walk through your yard and check for any signs of weeds or pests. It\u2019s much easier to deal with a small issue now than to come back to something that\u2019s spread across your lawn.<\/p>    <p>Pull any visible weeds so they don\u2019t go to seed while you\u2019re away, and keep an eye out for early signs of pest activity, like brown patches, chewed grass blades, or unusual thinning. If you spot a problem, treat it before you go so it doesn\u2019t get worse while you\u2019re gone.<\/p>    <p>Consider asking a neighbor or friend to do a quick walk-through while you\u2019re away, especially if you&#8217;re planning to stay away longer than 2 weeks. A second set of eyes can catch issues early before they get out of control.<\/p>    <p><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/pest-control\/how-to-control-summer-lawn-pests\/\">11 Summer Lawn Pests and How to Get Rid of Them<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-6-prepare-your-yard-for-weather-events\">6. Prepare Your Yard for Weather Events<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trim-branch.jpg\" alt=\"Trim weak branches before storms to prevent falling limbs, protect your yard, and reduce damage while you\u2019re away.\" class=\"wp-image-149621\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trim-branch.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trim-branch-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trim-branch-656x437.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trim-branch-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/trim-branch-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trim weak branches. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/gardener-pruning-a-tree\/70492702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minerva Studio<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>Before you leave, check the forecast for your area. Heat waves, heavy rain, or storms can all affect how your lawn holds up while you\u2019re gone, and a little prep can prevent damage.<\/p>    <p>Sullivan says, \u201cThe one thing about Florida is the unpredictable weather, especially during the summer. If I&#8217;m leaving, I prepare for the worst by making sure everything in my yard is secure or put up. We&#8217;ve had many summer storms with high winds, heavy rains, and tornado warnings. I want everything to be in the same place I left it and not in my neighbor&#8217;s yard!\u201d<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Secure or store loose items:<\/strong> Lawn furniture, planters, umbrellas, and kids\u2019 equipment can get tossed around in high winds.<\/li>    <li><strong>Clear drainage areas:<\/strong> Make sure gutters, downspouts, and low spots aren\u2019t blocked so water doesn\u2019t pool on your lawn.<\/li>    <li><strong>Reduce standing water and hiding spots:<\/strong> Empty or turn over buckets, planters, and other containers so water doesn\u2019t collect when it rains, and clear debris where critters might nest while you\u2019re away.<\/li>    <li><strong>Trim weak branches.<\/strong> Remove any dead or overhanging limbs that could fall and damage your yard during a storm.<\/li>    <li><strong>Prep your pool for storms: <\/strong>Lower the water level slightly to prevent overflow, turn off pool equipment to protect it from damage, and secure or store pool toys, floats, and covers.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><strong>See Related: <\/strong><br>&#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/florida\/hurricane-resistant-landscaping-florida\/\">11 Hurricane-Resistant Landscaping Ideas for Florida<\/a><br>&#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/how-to-create-fire-resistant-landscaping\/\">How to Create Fire-Resistant Landscaping<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-extra-tips-before-you-head-out\">Extra Tips Before You Head Out<\/h2>    <p>Here are some additional things to keep in mind before you leave for your well-deserved vacation:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>If you\u2019re leaving for just a few days, you don\u2019t need to overthink it. A fresh mow and a deep watering are usually enough to keep your lawn in good shape.<\/li>    <li>For trips lasting 1 to 2 weeks, it\u2019s worth setting up some support. Make sure your irrigation system is properly scheduled, and consider applying a slow-release fertilizer in advance if you haven\u2019t already.<\/li>    <li>If you\u2019ll be gone for more than 2 weeks, think about asking a neighbor or friend to check in.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><strong>For longer trips,<\/strong> letting your lawn go dormant can be a practical option. Many healthy lawns can handle a few weeks without water by going into a temporary dormant state, especially during hot, dry periods. It may look brown when you return, but it can recover once regular watering resumes.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-leave-with-peace-of-mind\">Leave With Peace of Mind<\/h2>    <p>Getting your lawn ready before vacation doesn\u2019t take much, but it can save you from coming home to a mess. A quick mow, a deep watering, and a few smart adjustments based on the weather and your trip length can keep your yard in good shape while you\u2019re away.<\/p>    <p>If you\u2019re short on time or just don\u2019t want one more thing on your list, you can always call in a <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">LawnStarter mowing pro<\/a> to handle it before you go. That way, you can focus on packing your bags, not squeezing in yard work at the last minute.<\/p>    <p>Main Image: Man cleaning up fallen limbs with rake in yard. Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/yard-man-cleaning-up-fallen-limbs-with-rake-in-yard-by-street-closeup-and-cropped-to-legs\/620300260\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Susan Vineyard<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prep your lawn before vacation: mow at your normal height, water deeply, set your sprinklers, and check for weeds so you come back to a healthy yard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":149625,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[9],"class_list":["post-149615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-2","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/cleaning-lawn.jpg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Maria Isabela Reis","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/maria-isabela-reis\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Prep Your Lawn Before a Vacation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Prep your lawn before vacation: mow at your normal height, water deeply, set your sprinklers, and check for weeds so you come back to a healthy yard.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prep-lawn-before-vacation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Prep Your Lawn Before a Vacation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Prep your lawn before vacation: mow at your normal 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