--- title: "It’s Not Too Late to Do the Lawn Maintenance You’ve Been Putting Off" description: "Learn which fall lawn maintenance tasks you can still do even into early winter to improve the health and appearance of your lawn next spring" date: "2026-11-13" modified: "2026-11-13" authors: - name: "Sandi Schwartz" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sandi-schwartz.md" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/fall-lawn-maintenance/" categories: - "DIY" - "Lawn & Garden" - "Lawn Care" - "Lawn Care & Gardening" --- # It’s Not Too Late to Do the Lawn Maintenance You’ve Been Putting Off ![Person raking autumn leaves.]() *Photo: maxbelchenko via Shutterstock* Many people assume lawn care ends when summer does, but autumn is when you're laying the groundwork for next year's success, says Allison Koenig, lawn and garden expert at [Tractor Supply Company](). “The work you do before winter, from mowing and fertilizing to leaf management and soil care, has a much bigger impact on spring performance than most homeowners realize,” she says. We spoke to Koenig and other lawn care experts to learn which fall lawn maintenance tasks you can still do even into early winter to improve the health and appearance of your lawn next spring, and what should be put off because it’s too late. ## Why Fall Is Still a Prime Time for Lawn Care The biggest misconception about [fall lawn maintenance]() is that the lawn is dead because of cooler temperatures and doesn't need attention anymore, says Koenig. But this isn’t true; the lawn is just dormant, which is a big difference. “A dormant lawn is still relying on the roots and reserves it built up in fall,” says Koenig. “Treat it like it’s done for the year and skip the prep work, and you’ll feel that mistake in spring.” Just be mindful that [once the ground freezes]() or grass is fully dormant, it’s best to avoid aggressive projects like aerating, heavy raking, and major repairs. Winter is better spent protecting the lawn rather than trying to renovate it. ![Person pushing a grass aerator in a yard.]() *Photo: Kamil Macniak via Shutterstock* ## Lawn Care Tasks to Tackle in Autumn Pay a little attention to your lawn in fall and gain the rewards come the busy spring season. Experts suggest the following: ### Keeping Grass Clean and Clear One of the simplest yet most important tasks in fall and winter is to keep your lawn free of debris, says Theresa Smith, senior vice president at [NaturaLawn of America]() in Frederick, Maryland. “[Fallen leaves]() and sticks can smother the grass, block sunlight, and trap moisture, leading to the grass becoming weak and susceptible to disease.” Regularly rake, mulch, and remove any large debris from the lawn to allow your grass to breathe and absorb as much sunlight as possible. ### Mowing [Mowing the lawn to the right height]() before winter arrives is an essential [fall lawn task]() for preventing damage, says Smith. “Avoid cutting the grass too short, as this can lead to scalping and weakening the much-needed root system that it needs to survive winter,” she explains. “On the other hand, leaving the grass too long can also damage a lawn if it gets matted down with snow and ice, which can lead to disease and dying off.” ### Controlling Weeds Fall is one of the most effective times for weed control because [many weeds]() are moving nutrients into their roots as they prepare for winter, which makes them more susceptible to treatment, says Brian Feldman, lead agronomist and senior director of technical operations at [TruGreen](). Consider the timing and the type of lawn, though. “For cool-season lawns, the ideal window is generally October through early November, while warm-season lawns can still benefit from treatment later in the fall, particularly for certain winter annual weeds,” says Feldman. ### Testing Soil Before you put down any fertilizer or aerate, Wells Westmoreland, co-founder of [Tomball Lawn Care Service]() in Tomball, Texas, recommends [getting a soil test]() first. “The results tell you exactly which nutrients your lawn is missing (or has too much of), so when you go to buy fertilizer or hire someone to apply it for you, you’re getting the nutrients your yard actually needs,” he explains. ### Aeration and Reseeding Cool-Season Grasses Fall can be a great time to [aerate]() and [overseed your lawn](); however, the best time of year depends on the type of grass you have. “Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue, should be aerated and reseeded in late summer through fall, or mid-August to mid-October,” advises Smith. On the other hand, warm-season grasses, such as zoysias and Bermuda grasses, should be aerated when they are more actively growing, usually during late spring or early summer. ### Fertilizing After a hot and dry summer, lawns begin to recover in the early fall, making it an ideal time to [apply fertilizer]() in support of its growth, says Smith. “Since daylight hours are shorter, the grass produces less top growth and directs the nutrients in the fertilizer toward root development, which helps keep the lawn healthy during colder months and helps yards that were fertilized to green-up quicker come springtime.” Some states have specific fertilizer restrictions in the late fall months, so be sure to check your state’s regulations before applying fertilizers. ### Monitoring for Pests and Diseases Although winter typically reduces pest activity, some issues can still arise. Mice, [voles, and other small mammals]() may take refuge in your lawn during the colder months, [causing damage]() by burrowing or feeding on grass roots, warns Smith. “Check for signs of pest damage and act, such as using traps or deterrents if necessary,” says Smith. “Similarly, look for any patches where the grass has turned brown and may be holding disease spores. Rake up the dead grass and bag it so it doesn’t spread before winter temperatures arrive.” ![Stack of turf grass rolls for a new lawn.]() *Photo: Serhii Krot via Shutterstock* ## Skip These Tasks This Time of Year ### Watering Your grass doesn’t need nearly as much water this time of year, so decrease the frequency with which you water it. While you don’t need to stop, it’s a good time to pull back to [avoid overwatering](), which can cause large patches of your lawn to die off and invite fungus, disease, and root rot, says Westmoreland. “We see this a lot when sprinkler systems are still running on their summer schedule, so be sure to check your timer.” ### Sodding It’s critical to avoid sodding during colder months. “You’ll likely spend several hundred dollars or more hiring a contractor, and the new sod has a very low chance of taking root because it can’t establish itself in the cold,” warns Westmoreland. Instead, wait until spring and you’ll get a much better return on that investment. ### Fertilizing with Nitrogen Fertilizer [Adding a lot of nitrogen]() right before the cold months [encourages new growth]() to pop up. “The problem here is that new growth gets hit harder by the cold than more established turf, so nitrogen can end up killing off a big chunk of your lawn,” explains Westmoreland. “Save the nitrogen for when things warm back up; then, the new growth will be supported.” ### Aeration and Dethatching Warm-Season Grass If you have a [warm-season grass]() like St. Augustine, Bermuda, or zoysia, hold off on aeration and [dethatching](). These types of grasses only benefit from these processes when temperatures are much higher, as they’ll actively be growing during that time, says Westmoreland. “In the cold, the root zone on these grass types goes dormant, so aeration will just open up the turf to damage from the cold since the roots won’t be spreading as quickly.” However, if you have cool-season grass like fescue or ryegrass, you can still move forward with these tasks. ### Overseeding Cool-Season Grass Once soil temperatures have dropped and winter conditions have arrived, it is most likely too late to overseed cool-season lawns, says Feldman. ## Author Sandi Schwartz is an environmental author and freelance journalist with over 20 years of extensive experience communicating science-based information to diverse audiences in the areas of sustainability, home/garden, green living, nature, and wellness. Sandi began writing for BobVila.com in June 2022. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() ## More - [Top-Dressing the Lawn: Why It’s Important and How to Do It]() - [I Signed Up for TruGreen Lawn Service and Here’s How It’s Going]() - [Bob Vila’s Definitive Lawn Care Calendar]() - [The Science Behind a Perfect Lawn]() - [The Lawn Care “Tricks” Homeowners Are Using to Get Rid of Weeds This Spring]() - [Dormant, Not Dead: 7 Ways to Bring a Tired and Weary Lawn Back From the Brink ]() - [Solved! What to Do About Lawn Fungus]() - [Solved! Here’s Exactly When You Should Aerate the Lawn]()