5 Expert Tips on How to Care for Lawn in Fall

Key takeaways

Fall is the last chance to prep your lawn before winter. Giving it the strength to survive the cold and come back healthier in spring.
Cooler weather doesn’t mean your lawn can coast — it still needs care to stay healthy and avoid damage.
Put in the work now, and you’ll be rewarded with a lush, green lawn.

Fall is no time to slack on lawn care. If you want your grass to survive the winter and bounce back lush in spring, now’s the time to prep.

Autumn brings cooler weather and shorter days, which are perfect for your lawn. These changes help the grass heal from the summer heat and get ready for the cold winter ahead.

But this doesn’t mean your lawn will take care of itself.

Your grass needs some attention to stay healthy — and fall is the perfect time to give it the TLC it deserves.

The work you put in now will help make sure that your grass stays strong and comes back greener and thicker when spring rolls around.

So, don’t wait until the first frost hits. Get ahead of the game and start prepping your lawn for fall now.

How to care for your lawn in fall

#1 — don’t wait for winter to fertilize your lawn

A scenic park in autumn featuring vibrant orange and red leaves on trees, with green grass in the foreground. Perfect example of how to care for lawn in fall, as the changing leaves highlight the importance of lawn preparation for the cooler months.

Fall is the ideal time to fertilize your lawn. Why? Because the grass is recovering from summer heat and is hungry for nutrients to prepare for winter.

Go for a slow-release fertilizer that’s packed with nitrogen.

Check the label for something like 29-12-14. That means:

29% nitrogen to help your grass grow
12% phosphorus to strengthen the roots
14% potassium to keep everything healthy

It’s like a balanced meal for your lawn.

Apply the fertilizer evenly using a spreader — and make sure to water your lawn afterwards. This will help nutrients sink into the soil.

If mixing and spreading fertilizer sounds like too much work, you can always call in the pros.

A professional fertilizing service will make sure your lawn gets exactly what it needs, and you won’t have to lift a finger.

#2 — Keep mowing, but don’t scalp the lawn

A woman smiling while cutting grass with an electric lawn mower. Regular mowing is an essential part of how to care for lawn in fall, as it helps maintain grass health before the season changes.

Just because the weather’s cooling down doesn’t mean you can put the mower away. You’ll still need to cut the grass, but don’t go too short.

Scalping the lawn can weaken the grass, leaving it vulnerable to disease and winter damage.

Aim to keep your grass at about 2.5 to 3 inches tall.

This length helps the grass absorb more sunlight and stay healthy as temperatures drop. If you cut it too short, it won’t have the energy to survive the cold.

So, keep mowing until the grass stops growing. Then, give it one last cut before winter hits.

#3 — Rake those leaves, or your lawn will suffocate

Leaves are pretty, sure. But leave them sitting on your lawn, and you’re asking for trouble.

A thick layer of leaves can suffocate your grass, blocking sunlight and trapping moisture.

This creates the perfect environment for mold and disease.

Plus, wet leaves can become a soggy mess that’s a nightmare to clean up later.

Rake regularly, or use a mulching mower to chop the leaves into small pieces.

The smaller pieces can actually benefit your lawn, acting like a natural fertilizer.

#4 — Water less, but don’t stop completely

A young girl in a red outfit doing a handstand under a garden sprinkler on a sunny day. Watering the lawn, even in fall, is part of how to care for lawn in fall, ensuring grass gets enough moisture before winter.

Your lawn might need less water in the fall, but it still needs some moisture to stay healthy.

Cooler weather and increased rainfall mean you won’t need to water as often.

However, it’s important to not let your grass dry out.

A good rule of thumb: Your lawn needs about an inch of water per week in the fall.

If you’re not getting that from rain, make sure to supplement with watering.

Remember, don’t overdo it. Too much water can lead to soggy soil, which invites fungus and disease.

Water in the morning, so the grass has time to dry before nightfall.

#5 — Consider overseeding to fill in bare spots

Yellow autumn leaves scattered across a green lawn. This illustrates how to care for lawn in fall by raking and clearing fallen leaves to prevent damage to the grass underneath.

Fall is the perfect time to get a professional to overseed your lawn. If you’ve noticed thin or bare spots in your grass, now’s the time to fill them in.

The cooler temperatures and moist soil create ideal conditions for seed germination. Plus, new grass has time to establish before winter sets in.

Choose a seed that matches your existing grass type, and spread it evenly over the bare areas.

Lightly rake the seeds into the soil, and water regularly to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. You’ll be rewarded with thicker, healthier grass come spring.

Put in the work now for a healthy lawn later

Fall lawn care might not seem like the most exciting task on your to-do list, but it’s worth the effort.

The steps you take now will set your lawn up for success through the winter and into the spring.

Fertilize, mow, rake, water, and overseed. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a lawn that makes the neighbors jealous when spring rolls around.

So, grab your rake, fire up the mower, and get to work.

Your grass isn’t going to take care of itself.

And if you find that these steps are a little too much for your schedule, your local lawn care company will always be happy to help.

Green T Lawn Care

We're a local lawn care company with over 30 years of experience helping homeowners achieve lush, healthy lawns. Our team specializes in services like fertilization, weed control, aeration, and more, all designed to keep your yard looking its best throughout the seasons. We believe in sharing practical tips to make lawn care stress-free for our community.