Any turf pro will tell you: Some simple lawn care in October can help your grass look better next year. Cooler air reduces stress, but the soil stays warm enough so roots can still grow fast. This combination is perfect if you need to pull out weeds, then fertilize those thin patches.
Add in more consistent rainfall, and you have peak conditions to make every bit of your effort count. We spoke with lawn experts to pin down exactly what to do this October (and what to skip) for a thicker, greener yard by spring.
Why October Is the Ideal Time for Lawn Recovery
This month is about smart lawn maintenance tasks that can deliver long-term results. “After a summer of heat, drought, and heavy foot traffic, your lawn is often stressed and in need of recovery,” says Matthew Koch, PhD, director of biotechnology, genetics, and seed at Scotts Miracle-Gro. “October provides the perfect conditions, like cooler air, warm soil, and increased moisture, to rejuvenate your lawn.”
As far as what you should focus on, Koch says fertilizing and weed removal in the fall helps repair damage and gives grass roots time to rebound before winter. “Fall weed control targets broadleaf weeds still actively growing. Each step builds stronger, deeper roots for a thicker, greener lawn in the spring.”
What You Need to Do to Care for Your Lawn
Now that you know why October matters, here’s how to proceed with your lawn care. These expert-backed steps will help strengthen your grass before winter sets in.
Fertilizing
The first step? Fertilize your lawn based on your grass type. “Cool-season grasses respond well to fertilizer in the fall,” says Craig Elworthy, lawn expert and the founder of Lawnbright. “You can’t go wrong with any fertilizer approach in the fall, since your lawn will readily accept whatever you throw at it. I like to use this time to amend pH and make sure I’m applying plenty of micro and macronutrients.”
Here’s how Elworthy fertilizes cool-season grass in the fall:
Mow and rake to clear away debris, then apply liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.
Apply a winterizer in late October or early November just before shutting off the irrigation for the year.
Elworthy says warm-season grasses are not growing quickly in the fall since they’re preparing to go dormant for the winter. “Now is not the time to fertilize, but potassium can be applied to help build immunity, so potassium-rich inputs like Sea Kelp should be used around this time.” Koch suggests one feeding on warm-season grasses just before winter hits.
Weed Control
Weeds may look harmless in the fall since everything else in the yard is fading, but this is when they’re most vulnerable to treatment. “Fall is a great time to get perennial weeds like dandelions and clover under control with a fall weed and feed product,” says Koch. He suggests looking for one that simultaneously controls weeds while also feeding your lawn.
Elworthy also thinks October is an excellent time for natural weed control since weeds are taking everything they get and storing it in their roots for the winter, so any herbicide (or DIY weed remover) will work exceptionally well. “Products that contain chelated iron work best in the cool nighttime temps of fall,” he adds.
Mowing and Leaf Removal
Yes, keep mowing regularly, even if the grass isn't growing. “It’s boring, but mowing is the single best lawn care practice you can do in October,” says Elworthy. “Your lawn’s growth will slow down significantly, and at some point, you’re mowing just to get the leaves off the grass, which is very important.”
There is some debate on whether or not you should pick up leaves from your lawn, but Elworthy says fallen leaves can really kill a lawn if they’re left intact over the winter. That said, you don’t need to completely remove them. “An added benefit of mowing is that by mulching the leaves back into the soil, you’re adding to the overall organic content and improving soil composition.”
What You May Want to Wait on Until the Spring
Not every lawn task belongs on your October checklist. These are the tasks you may want to hold off on until spring, according to lawn experts.
Aeration
The best time to aerate your lawn is in the late summer and early fall (late September), Elworthy says, but only if your soil is compacted. While Elworthy personally would not aerate in October, Koch still thinks your lawn has time to recover if you do it early in the month on cool-season grasses only.
“For homeowners with a cool-season lawn, now is the ideal time to aerate because the grass is actively growing and can recover quickly,” says Koch. “For warm-season lawns, however, it’s best to wait until late spring through early summer when growth is at its peak.”
If you decide to take a chance on aerating your lawn right now, here’s how to have the greatest chance of success:
“Before aerating, make sure the soil is moist, not too dry or too wet,” says Koch. “We recommend watering the soil the day before to soften the ground. After aeration, leave the soil plugs on the surface because they'll break down naturally and help return organic matter to the soil.”
“If you’re going to mechanically aerate, make sure to mark any sprinkler heads or underground wiring so you can avoid them,” says Elworthy. “Most will hire this activity out to a pro, as mechanical aerators are heavy and difficult to operate.” Alternatively, he says you can try liquid aeration since many homeowners find it easier to use.
Overseeding
Elworthy has a conservative view on overseeding right now: “October is generally too late to overseed cool-season grasses, as the first frost and winter dormancy are just around the corner.” But Koch says this year might be an exception.
“In a normal year, this is late to be overseeding [cool-season grasses],” says Koch, but the drought this year pushed back the opportunity to take advantage of fall rainfall. “As long as the air and soil temperatures remain warm (which the long-term forecast is showing for about the next 3 weeks), Northern grass seed can continue to germinate and establish.”
If overseeding in October, Koch says it’s important to do it soon (early October) and maintain good growing conditions (water and fertilizer) for as long as the season allows. “This will give the seedlings the best chance to survive the winter and thrive in the spring.”
Regarding warm-season grasses, both experts agree that late spring or summer is the best time for overseeding. “Warm-season grasses are generally not overseeded with the exception of Bermudagrass warm-season grass seed," says Elworthy. "In any case, the time to seed would be in the spring. Warm-season grass typically goes into dormancy in September to October."
Read more at Real Simple
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