🍂 How to Prepare Your Lawn for Fall: A Complete Guide

As the summer heat fades and the leaves start to turn, it's the perfect time to give your lawn a little TLC before winter arrives. Fall is one of the most important seasons for lawn care — and the work you do now will make all the difference when spring rolls back around.

Here's how to prepare your lawn for a healthy, lush comeback next year.

1. Keep Mowing (But Lower the Blade)

Even though growth slows in the fall, your grass still needs regular mowing until the first frost. Gradually lower your mower blade in the last few cuts of the season. A shorter grass height (around 2-2.5 inches) helps prevent snow mold and makes it easier for nutrients to reach the roots.

Pro tip: Don’t scalp the grass — just lower it a bit each week toward the end of the season.

2. Rake Those Leaves Regularly

Fallen leaves may look pretty, but if left alone, they block sunlight and trap moisture — a perfect setup for disease and bare spots come spring. Rake or mulch leaves weekly to keep your lawn breathing and healthy.

Bonus: Mulching those leaves adds organic matter back into the soil!

3. Feed Your Lawn for Winter

Fall fertilizing is key. A slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer will strengthen your grass roots and help it store energy through winter. Think of it as giving your lawn a healthy meal before its winter nap.

Best timing: Early to mid-fall, ideally before the ground freezes.

4. Aerate and Overseed

Compacted soil and thin grass? Fall is the best time to fix it. Core aeration opens up the soil, allowing oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach deep roots. Follow up with overseeding to fill in thin spots and create a thicker, more resilient lawn next spring.

5. Tidy Up Your Edges and Beds

Clean up flower beds, trim overgrown edges, and remove weeks before the cold sets in. A neat yard not only looks better but also helps prevent pests and disease over the winter months.

6. Water Wisely

Even in cooler weather, your lawn still needs about an inch of water per week until the ground freezes. I f you've shut off your irrigation system, give your lawn a good final soak before the frost arrives.

7. Plan Ahead for Next Season

Fall prep is the foundation for spring success. Make notes about what worked, what didn't and where improvements are needed. Whether it's adding topsoil, adjusting your mowing pattern, or reseeding problem areas — a little planning now makes for an easier, greener spring.

🍁 Let Jade Help You Get Ready for Fall

If you’d rather spend your weekends enjoying the season instead of working in the yard, let Jade Lawn Care handle the fall prep for you.

We offer complete property maintenance and landscaping services — including aeration, fertilization, fall cleanups, and more — to keep your outdoor spaces in top shape year-round.

📞 Call today to schedule your fall lawn care service or request a free quote. Jade Lawn Care — Central Kentucky’s trusted team for professional lawn and property maintenance.