Prepping Your Lawn for Spring This Fall

Not all of us are planners, but most of us agree that a lush and thriving lawn in the spring is a must. What if we said the best way to get that lush yard come spring is if you planned ahead now? That’s right. Planning for your ideal spring and summer lawn this fall can help your yard survive the winter and thrive once the frost begins to melt away. 

Prep is 80% of the work of keeping a nice lawn, whether that’s taking preventative measures against pests, diseases, or weather. Most people prep for the upcoming spring season once winter weather fades a bit and warmer temperatures creep in. What most people don’t know is that you’re mostly doing damage control at that point. You’re evaluating how your yard handled the winter and correcting those issues to prep your yard for spring. If you were to work on prepping your lawn much earlier, even before the winter hits, you’ll not only set yourself up for success, but you’ll make your job easier when spring comes.

Here are the top things you should be doing this fall to keep your yard on top of its game.

Water in the Fall

To recover from the stress of summer heat, you need to water your grass in the fall. It revitalizes your lawn and allows it to gain strength for the winter ahead.

Fertilize in the Fall

Image via DIY Network

This is an age old trick to a lush lawn. Fertilizing about 3 weeks before the final mow of the year gears your grass up for colder temperature and fortifies its roots. You should be fertilizing your yard about four times a year, but fertilizing in the fall is so effective, you could get away with only doing it once if you fertilize this season.

Remove the Leaves

Image via The Spruce

We all know that raking leaves is important. It’s especially important towards the end of fall when snow is imminent. If left alone, the leaves can smother the grass beneath the snow and sabotage your spring growth.

Reseed in Late Summer /  Early Fall

Image via Family Handyman

Reseeding your lawn with slightly cooler temperatures sets your new growth up for success. If you reseed now, you’ll find you’re not sacrificing your seed to the heat of summer. Instead, the seeds are much more likely to take in the early fall climate.

Cut Grass Short

Image via Family Handyman

Before snow comes around, take the lawn mower to the yard one last time to cut it short. When it snows, the grass won’t be so long that it smothers itself or starts to mold because of the moisture.

How do you prep your lawn? Don’t procrastinate. Plan ahead this fall, and enjoy the benefits this spring.