Fall Lawn Care Preparation

Mow the lawn as soon as it needs it. Remove no more than a third of the grass's height at each mowing. For example, if you prefer your lawn stay 3 inches high, mow it before the blades reach 4 ½ inches in height. Continue to mow until the grass goes dormant in early winter.

Rake up fallen leaves regularly, as these block sunlight and water from reaching the grass. Dispose of the leaves or add them to your compost pile.

Fertilize in September, applying a general-purpose lawn fertilizer at the rate recommended on the package. A late summer or early fall fertilizer application ensures the grass has the nutrients it needs to survive the fall months.

Water the lawn as necessary throughout fall, as the lawn may require less irrigation during these cooler months. Generally, water once or twice a week, providing enough moisture at each watering to wet the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Slow, deep watering is preferable to frequent shallow irrigation.

Reseed the lawn in early September if necessary. Grass seed germinates and establishes better in the low-stress, cool fall months. Reseeding too late in the fall doesn't give the new grass plants time to establish themselves before winter cold.

Apply a winterization fertilizer after the last mowing in fall. These slow-release fertilizers break down in the soil over the winter months, ensuring your lawn greens up early in spring and gets off to a healthy new start.