Fall is the most important season for lawn health. What you do (or skip) in October and November directly determines how your lawn emerges in spring.
Start with leaf removal. A mat of wet leaves smothers grass and creates the perfect conditions for snow mold. Do not wait until every leaf has fallen — clear in rounds if you have heavy tree cover.
Next, mow slightly lower for the final cut of the season, around 2 to 2.5 inches for cool-season grass. This prevents the grass from folding over under snow, which also promotes disease.
Aeration and overseeding in early fall gives new seed weeks of warm soil to establish before frost. Follow with a winterizer fertilizer high in potassium to strengthen roots for dormancy.
Finally, cut back perennials, clean out beds, and protect young shrubs. A thorough fall cleanup sets the stage for a faster, greener spring green-up — and a lot fewer problems to fix next year.