- 1. Manage Falling Leaves<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Mow Until Grass Stops Growing<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Treat and Control Weeds<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Remove Excess Thatch<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Aerate Compacted Soil<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Overseed<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Test Your Soil<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Apply a Fall Fertilizer for Strong Roots<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Adjust Lawn Watering<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Winterize Sprinklers<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Manage Falling Leaves<\/h2>
What\u2019s the most important thing you should do now? Remove or mulch all those leaves.<\/p>
Here\u2019s why:<\/p>
\u201cIt is important to remove leaves from your yard because if they accumulate, they can block sunlight and trap moisture, creating a perfect environment for mold, pests, and lawn diseases,\u201d says LawnStarter pro Sergio Beltran<\/strong> of Gio’s Multitask Lawn & Landscaping in Clearwater, Florida.<\/p>
\u201cRemoving leaves regularly helps your lawn breathe, stay healthy, and look clean year-round,\u201d he says.<\/p>
LawnStarter pro Jose Tovar<\/strong> of Tovar Landscaping in Fort Worth, Texas, agrees: \u201cMy No. 1 tip for lawn maintenance in the fall is to have your lawn clear of leaves so that it doesn’t develop spots with missing grass.\u201d<\/p>
During peak fall season, rake leaves or mulch-mow them weekly. If you choose to mulch them with your mower, make sure they\u2019re dry and chop them into small pieces that fall between the grass blades.<\/p>
See Related:<\/strong>
— What Happens if You Don’t Remove Leaves<\/a>
— How to Deal with the Neighbor’s Leaves in Your Yard<\/a>
— Tips for Cleaning Up Leaves in Your Yard<\/a><\/p>2. Mow Until Grass Stops Growing<\/h2>
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Infographic by Juan Rodriguez created using Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure> Continue mowing your lawn until growth stops for the year. \u201cDo not pause service too early. In my experience, spring and fall get the most growth,\u201d says LawnStarter pro Jason Reyes<\/strong> of Royal Lawn and Landscape in Dallas.<\/p>
When to put your mower in the garage or shed (or mow less through winter) depends on where you live and your grass type:<\/p>
- Cool-season grasses<\/a> (northern U.S.) grow until air temperature drops below 40 or 42 degrees (typically October). Mow at the recommended height through the fall, and for the final cut of the season, lower the height to 2 or 2.5 inches.
<\/li>- Warm-season grasses<\/a> (southern U.S.) go dormant when air temperatures drop below 60 to 65 degrees (typically in November). Mow them at the recommended height until they go dormant, and then make the final cut about 1\/2-inch longer to protect crowns from cold damage.
In the southernmost regions of the U.S., you may have to mow periodically through the winter, as grass growth doesn\u2019t completely stop.<\/li> <\/ul> - Warm-season grasses<\/a> (southern U.S.) go dormant when air temperatures drop below 60 to 65 degrees (typically in November). Mow them at the recommended height until they go dormant, and then make the final cut about 1\/2-inch longer to protect crowns from cold damage.
- 2. Mow Until Grass Stops Growing<\/a><\/li>
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