- 1). Mow the lawn as soon as it needs it. Remove no more than a third of the grass's height at each mowing. For example, if you prefer your lawn stay 3 inches high, mow it before the blades reach 4 ½ inches in height. Continue to mow until the grass goes dormant in early winter.
- 2). Rake up fallen leaves regularly, as these block sunlight and water from reaching the grass. Dispose of the leaves or add them to your compost pile.
- 3). Fertilize in September, applying a general-purpose lawn fertilizer at the rate recommended on the package. A late summer or early fall fertilizer application ensures the grass has the nutrients it needs to survive the fall months.
- 4). Water the lawn as necessary throughout fall, as the lawn may require less irrigation during these cooler months. Generally, water once or twice a week, providing enough moisture at each watering to wet the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Slow, deep watering is preferable to frequent shallow irrigation.
- 5). Reseed the lawn in early September if necessary. Grass seed germinates and establishes better in the low-stress, cool fall months. Reseeding too late in the fall doesn't give the new grass plants time to establish themselves before winter cold.
- 6). Apply a winterization fertilizer after the last mowing in fall. These slow-release fertilizers break down in the soil over the winter months, ensuring your lawn greens up early in spring and gets off to a healthy new start.
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