Caring for your lawn in the fall depends heavily on whether you have cool-season grass (common in northern regions) or warm-season grass (common in the South). Cool-season grasses are actively growing in the fall, while warm-season grasses are slowing down and preparing for dormancy.
Universal Fall Lawn Care Tasks (All Grass Types)
Regardless of grass type, these tasks are beneficial for all lawns:
- Remove Leaves and Debris: Rake or mulch fallen leaves regularly. A thick layer of leaves blocks sunlight, traps moisture, and encourages fungal diseases like snow mold. Mulching a thin layer of leaves with your mower can return valuable organic matter to the soil.
- Continue Mowing: Keep mowing until the growth stops or the first hard frost occurs. Gradually lower the mowing height towards the end of the season to about 2-3 inches to prevent matting over winter.
- Watering: Don’t stop watering entirely. While rainfall increases in the fall, your grass still needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week (including rain) until the ground freezes. Water deeply and less frequently, preferably in the early morning, to discourage disease.
- Control Pests and Disease: Fall is an ideal time to address pests like grubs, which are active in the soil. Use an appropriate insecticide if needed, and apply a preventative fungicide if your lawn has a history of brown patches or other diseases.
- Winterize Irrigation: Before the first hard freeze, completely drain your in-ground irrigation system to prevent pipes and components from cracking.
Grass Care in Fall: A Step-by-Step Guide. … Fall is the make-or-break season for lawn care.
Specific Care by Grass Type
| Cool-Season Grasses (Fescue, Bluegrass, Ryegrass) | Warm-Season Grasses (Bermudagrass, Zoysia, St Augustine) | |
| Fertilization | Prime Time: Fertilize in early to mid-fall with a nitrogen-rich, balanced fertilizer to encourage root growth and store energy for winter. A second application can be done in late fall. | Avoid High Nitrogen: These grasses need a light, low-nitrogen fertilizer or one high in potassium (potash) to boost stress tolerance. Heavy feeding is unnecessary as growth slows. |
| Aeration | Ideal Time: Aerate in early fall to relieve soil compaction and allow nutrients to reach the active roots. | Wait: Aerate warm-season grasses in the spring or early summer when they are in their peak growing cycle. |
| Overseeding | Ideal Time: Fall is the best time for overseeding to fill in bare spots and thicken the lawn. Overseeding immediately after aeration is very effective. | Optional/Specific: Generally, avoid overseeding with more warm-season grass seed in the fall. If you want a green winter lawn, you can overseed with an annual ryegrass two to four weeks before the first frost. |
| Weed Control | Apply broadleaf herbicides in the fall when weeds are actively absorbing nutrients to prepare for winter. | Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early fall to prevent winter weeds from sprouting. |
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