Important Fall Lawn Care Maintenance Projects

It's almost time to pack it in for winter, but before you pat yourself on the back for another awesome lawn season, there are a few things you can do that will make a serious difference come spring. Tackle these 15-minute fall lawn maintenance projects now, then you can rest easy once the temperature drops. 

Feed Your Lawn

The difference between a so-so stretch of grass and a truly beautiful lawn both now and next spring is two fall feedings. Fertilizing in early fall helps your lawn begin rebuilding grassroots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. If fall weeds are a problem in your lawn, this is a great time for Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Weed & Feed3. 

After 6-8 weeks, follow up with a second feeding with lawn food (we like Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Food) to give your fall grass nutrients and store up energy for spring. For more tips and suggestions on fall feedings to your lawn, check out this article on the Benefits of Fall Feeding.

Spruce Up Your Lawn

When kids (including the grownup ones) play on a lawn that's still hurting from the summer heat and drought, it can get damaged. If you have bare spots in the lawn (like the one left behind by the kiddie pool), use a product specifically formulated for repairing bare spots like Scotts® EZ Seed® Patch & Repair which is guaranteed to grow grass anywhere (when you give proper care). To thicken up a thin lawn, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Thick'R Lawn™, which is a 3-in-1 product uniquely formulated to help turn weak, thin grass into a thicker, greener lawn. With any seeding project, keep the soil surface moist. Try to make it out there for a light watering once a day or as needed until the seedlings have reached a mowing height.

Doing this bit of lawn care during fall is ideal if you live in the North as weather and soil conditions are typically great for seeding. Check out our seeding solutions article for more information.

Mulch Your Leaves

Don't let tree leaves smother your grass. Contrary to popular belief, fallen tree leaves in your yard will not insulate your lawn during winter. In fact, they can be a total buzzkill by blocking vital sunlight and thinning your grass. Mulching leaves is also an easier lawn maintenance task than raking, bagging, and blowing leaves and is beneficial for your lawn. So, ditch the rake and mulch your leaves to dime-sized pieces with your lawnmower before applying one of your fall feedings to help the soil microbes break down the leaves.

See our article on mulching leaves for more information.

Check the Gutters

While you're hanging holiday lights and pretending you don't have a fear of heights, check the gutters and give them a good cleaning while you've already got the ladder out. You definitely don't want clogged gutters when winter storms roll in.

Mow Your Lawn Shorter

Take your fall grass care routine down a notch. Literally. In late fall, drop your mower down and cut your lawn 1 to 2 inches shorter than you have the rest of the growing season. Continue to mow shorter until your grass stops growing in early winter, when both you and your lawn head into hibernation mode. For that final mowing, go even a little bit lower.

Stow Your Lawn Furniture

It's probably too cold now to sip lemonade on the patio, so before you settle in for your winter nap on the couch, put the outdoor cushions away and haul the grill and furniture into storage until next year. This simple fall clean-up task will help keep your outdoor furniture looking good and ready for action next spring.

Clean Up your Tools for a Fresh Start Next Spring

They've served you well all season, but now that you've completed your fall yard clean-up (heck yeah!), it's time to put the tools away. You'll keep them from rusting if you clean them up before you hang them up. Also, if you're done mowing for the year, don't forget to do your winter mower maintenance before storing.

Help Is Just a Click or a Phone Call Away

And that’s it—your fall lawn maintenance is done! Even though you’ve got this down, there's nothing like personal attention from a trusted expert to quickly answer any of your lawn and garden questions. Visit our Help Center to send us a note or speak with an expert by calling 1-888-270-3714.