10 Tips to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter

raking dead grass and leaves from the lawn in the fall

Preparing your lawn in the fall is essential for protecting it through winter and ensuring a healthy start in spring. Rooted Lawn & Landscape of Carmel, IN, helps you prepare your lawn for a beautiful spring debut. After a long, hot summer, grass can often be stressed, with signs of thinning, discoloration, and compacted soil. According to This Old House, proper winter preparation helps reduce soil compaction, improves nutrient absorption, and strengthens grass roots. Continue reading to learn ten tips to prepare your lawn for winter.

1. Rake and Remove Leaves

Regularly rake fallen leaves to prevent them from smothering the grass, which can lead to mold and pests. Thorough leaf removal is necessary to maintain the health of the lawn.

2. Aerate the Lawn

Aerating helps break up compacted soil and improves water and nutrient absorption. Fall is an ideal time since the grass is still growing.

3. Fertilize

Apply a slow-release fertilizer to help your lawn store nutrients for winter. Choose a fertilizer designed for fall application that promotes root growth.

4. Overseed Thin Areas

Overseeding can fill in bare patches or thin areas, helping to create a denser, more resilient lawn in the spring.

5. Mow One Last Time

Keep mowing your grass until it stops growing, usually in late fall. Cut it slightly shorter (around 2-2.5 inches) to reduce the chance of snow mold but not too short to avoid stressing the grass.

6. Remove Weeds

Pull or treat weeds before winter so they don't return in the spring.

7. Clean Up Debris

Remove twigs, branches, and other debris that can smother the grass or attract pests.

8. Edge and Trim

Neaten the borders of your lawn by edging and trimming, giving your yard a tidy look heading into winter.

9. Mulch Plant Beds

Add a fresh layer of mulch to plant beds to insulate plant roots and retain moisture.

10. Winterize Tools and Equipment

Drain and clean garden hoses, and store lawnmowers, trimmers, and other equipment properly for winter to prevent damage.

By doing these tasks, you'll promote a healthier, greener lawn in the coming year. Whether you do it yourself or enlist the help of lawn care professionals like Rooted Lawn & Landscape, a well-maintained lawn is possible for every homeowner in the Indianapolis area. Contact Rooted Lawn and Landscape at (463) 363-3779 to discuss your lawn care needs or request a free estimate.

Chad Smith