Just because your yard is going to go dormant in the winter, doesn’t mean you can skip a little TLC before the snow starts blowing. Doing a little maintenance in the fall will create a thick, luscious lawn when spring comes around again, and less work for you when spring cleaning comes around.

Rake Up the Leaves
It may be tempting to leave your yard covered in leaves when the last of them finally fall, but a layer of leaves will slowly kill your grass. Leaves prevent the grass from getting necessary sunlight through the season, so make sure you remove them as they fall, since it can take a few months for trees to fully shed their leaves. Any time leaves or other debris are left to sit on your lawn, the grass will die from lack of sunlight or from mold and disease. If you have a mower with a mulching attachment, you can shred the leaves into fine pieces and leave them on the grass.

Water Throughout the Winter
Many homeowners think once winter hits they don’t have to water their grass anymore. This misconception is a big reason why it takes so long to bring your grass back from a long, dry winter. Homeowners often believe this because they think grass dies in the winter, and simply comes back to life in the spring. Grass actually goes dormant and stops growing, but it still needs water to keep it alive. If you live in a region where you get a lot of snow, then you don’t need to water your lawn. However, if winters are warmer and/or dry, you’ll need to water your grass every two to three weeks.

Seeding 
The end of fall is a great time to seed your lawn. Autumn seeding allows your grass to grow thick and strong. When you shop for seed, make sure you read the bags or talk to knowledgeable staff at the garden center. There are various grass seed mixtures for different climates, and some seed mixes are better for shady conditions, while others are great for cold, dry winter weather. Use a rotary spreader set at the manufacturer’s recommended rate. Once you’ve put the seed down, ensure it gets plenty of water so it can germinate.

Fertilize
Fall is also a great time to fertilize. Aim for the beginning of November if you live in a warmer climate. Consider fall fertilization a boost to give it the strength to survive the cold temperatures. If you want to get really fancy, send a soil sample off to have it tested for the nutrients it’s deficient in. Most commercial fertilizers are suitable for lawns of all types, so there isn’t any need to get too elaborate. Remember not to apply a fertilizer/weed killer combination if you’ve just seeded your grass.

Control Pesky Weeds
Lawn experts agree that fall is the ideal time to tackle weeds. Plants are in an energy absorbing mode in the fall, so they willingly absorb everything given to them. This includes weed killers. If you apply a weed killer in the fall, you shouldn’t see those weeds return again for a long time. The best time to apply it is in the middle of fall when temperatures are still above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mow One Last Time
Even if you keep your grass fairly tall in the warmer months, winter is not the time for long grass. Experts recommend mowing your grass down to one or one and a half inches. This puts less stress on the roots as the grass goes dormant, and makes it easier to aerate. If your grass is currently three or more inches in height, don’t mow it down all at once. Spread the cutting out over a few mowings to prevent stressing the grass.

It might seem odd to prepare your lawn for spring in the fall and winter, but some cold winter prep work ensures your lawn is thick and green after the snow melts.

 Guest Post By:

“Kara Masterson is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in West Jordan, Utah. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking and gardening. For more information on how to protect your lawn and landscaping from winter, talk to Classic Jack Landscaping, one of the leading Utah County landscaping companies.”