6 Fall Lawn Care Tips

Ahhh, the fall season – the onset of cooler weather and less yard work. Well, if you have lived in the Ozarks very long, you know that’s not always the case. Yes, we may some cooler temperatures to enjoy after some long hot stretches, but the lawn care is far from over. It’s not uncommon to be mowing into October and November, which means we still have some time left to tend to our outdoor oasis. Plus, being more proactive in the fall will help make our lives easier in the spring. Below we share six tips on how to get your lawn fixed up just right before the cold and winter weather arrive.

1. Plant seeds & fertilize

Now is the time to plant seeds if needed. If you have some patches in your lawn that are a bit bare on grass (and just look bad), add seed now. Fall is a great time to do so, as the ground is still fairly warm and moist. Combine that with cooler nights and less scorching sun during the day, and you are setting your lawn up for an environment that should thrive.

You might consider fertilizing your lawn as well. (Try to avoid fertilizing near water sources that can become affected by any runoff, though). Fertilizing can help rebuild roots and make them stronger. Those hot summer days can certainly damage plant life, so this could help give them the boost they need!

2. Clean up from your summer garden

Now that the growing season is winding down, it’s time to do a little maintenance work to help get your garden cleaned up and ready for hibernation. And the work you put in now will make your spring so much easier and more enjoyable after a season of cold temps. When spring rolls around, we’ll all be ready to get outside, and having your garden clean will feel wonderful!

Remove any leftover stalks or weeds, toss the straw bales (or if they are in good enough shape, perhaps they can become part of your fall decor?), and store your stakes, cages, trellises, etc. You’ll be so happy to have these all in one place anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring.

3. Landscaping

If you’re looking to expand your landscaping and spruce up your yard, fall is a great time to add any trees or shrubs to the mix. The soil is still fairly warm, and your new additions will have several months to develop their root system before any stress summer’s heat may cause. You can’t forget to water them, though! Even if it’s not hot outside, you still need to nourish the new plants. Basically, they are babies and need help growing.

Fall is also a great time to pull those weeds! Once they die, they can be an eyesore, and you’re going to have to pull them eventually. Clean your flower beds, your fence rows, etc., and create a nice, clean look that you can enjoy all fall and winter!

4. Rake the leaves

This is often a topic that is not met with great enthusiasm…unless you are a kid! Understandably so…

While the leaves are fun to play in, they aren’t so great for your grass. If they are too thick and cover too much of the ground, they can block some much-needed sunlight and trap in too much moisture. This isn’t healthy for your lawn.

You can even make it a family event! Rake them up, let the kiddos enjoy them, and when you’re all finished, ask them help put them into bags.

5. Mow the lawn

You may have thought you were finished once sweatshirt weather hit, but there’s a little more to do. (Quick spoiler alert: you could potentially be mowing well into November). When it comes to the point when the grass seems finished growing, be sure to give it one final cutting. When doing so, don’t be afraid to cut it a little shorter. It will look nice all winter and be fully prepared for a coat of snow. (Did we take it a bit too far there?) 😉

When mowing that final time, don’t forget to do some edging while you’re at it. You’re about to be able to take a break, so this will help give your yard that nice, tidy, well-kept look.

This is also a time to consider some lawnmower care in preparation for storing it during the cold, winter months.

6. Prune damaged plants & branches

If you have any shrubs or trees that have damaged branches, give those a quick pruning. If you have low-lying tree branches, either give those a trim or call a professional to help. Any signs of disease or damage, or if they are just simply dead, consider taking care of that now.

Whether we like it or not, after fall comes winter, and sometimes we have to be prepared for heavy blankets of snow and ice. If you can prevent some of the weaker areas of your trees from succumbing to the winter elements, then hopefully you’ll have less damage to it and less clean up for you at the time.

Be sure to pick up any fallen debris, whether it happened on its own or if it’s due to your fall trimming.

Changes in the seasons are an exciting time! If you do a little work now, you (and your lawn!) will thank you later on. If you are looking for other tips on how to prepare for fall, check out our blog End-of-Summer To-Do List. It’ll help get you fully ready to welcome the new season.