Many new homeowners falsely believe that spring is the best time to treat, seed, and water your lawn. Since we associate spring with growth, many people pour time, money, and resources into growing their lawn in the spring in the hopes that it can withstand a hot summer.
The truth is that only focusing on your lawn in the spring and summer misses a critical window for lawn growth and development: autumn. When temperatures cool and become less erratic, plants undergo slow, steady, and deep growth as they prepare to overwinter. Removing leaves, fertilizing, pest management, pruning, and mulching during this time offers the best chance of setting your lawn up for success in the spring.
1. Remove Fallen Leaves to Increase Airflow
While colorful fall leaves can look picture-perfect, letting them pile up on your grass can actually smother your lawn. A thick layer of leaves can trap moisture, block sunlight, and prevent proper air circulation. These three components can encourage mold growth, rot, and pest inhabitation.
Regularly removing leaves can keep your lawn much healthier. Try to remove leaves at least once a week to maintain airflow and prevent buildup. If you have many mature trees on your property or need assistance keeping your turf clear, we can help with regular leaf cleanup to help protect your yard.
2. Fertilize to Support Long-term Turf Health
Fertilization gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to recover from summer stress and store energy for winter. A slow-release fertilizer rich in nitrogen can help strengthen root systems and encourage new growth once spring arrives.
This step provides long-term benefits, ensuring your lawn stays greener longer into the winter and turns green faster in the spring.
3. Treat Your Lawn for Overwintering Pests
As temperatures drop, certain insects seek shelter in your soil or under your turf, where they can damage roots and cause thin or dead patches when the weather warms again.
Common overwintering pests in Tennessee include grubs, chinch bugs, and sod webworms. A targeted pest treatment can help control these insects before they become active again in spring.
A professional lawn care team can inspect your yard to identify problem areas and apply appropriate treatments to keep your lawn protected through the cold season.
4. Prune Plants Before Winter
Late fall is an ideal time to prune many trees, shrubs, and perennials before winter dormancy sets in. With cooler temperatures and fewer pests, pruning during this period reduces plant stress and allows wounds to heal before spring growth.
Removing dead or diseased branches helps prevent the spread of fungi and pests. Thinning out overgrown areas improves air circulation and sunlight penetration. Using pruning to shape young trees or ornamental shrubs can encourage stronger, more balanced growth next year.
One caveat: Azalea, rhododendron, forsythia, lilac, camelia, magnolia, dogwood, and some species of bigleaf hydrangea bloom on old wood, setting blooms in the fall. These plants can’t be pruned in winter. If you’re unsure which plants to prune, Turf Managers can ensure that each plant in your landscape is pruned correctly and at the right time.
5. Apply Mulch to Your Landscape
Adding a fresh layer of mulch before winter provides an insulating blanket for your landscaping. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and protect plant roots from freezing and thawing cycles.
Organic mulch, like shredded leaves, bark, and straw, breaks down over time to enrich the soil with nutrients. Aim for a layer of about two to three inches around trees, shrubs, and garden beds. The mulch should be thick enough to protect the plant’s roots, but not so thick that it traps moisture against stems or trunks. Above all, avoid piling mulch in a cone shape around young plants and trees, also known as creating a “mulch volcano.” Mulch volcanoes promote fungal disease, girdling roots, and shallow root growth.
Turf Managers can create a healthy “mulch donut” around your plants, keeping them safe in the winter and suppressing weed growth in the spring.
Breathe New Life Into Your Lawn
Tennessee’s clay soil means that late fall lawn maintenance is absolutely essential for a healthy landscape. All winter long, you can grow your lawn’s strength and resilience while you’re curled up inside waiting for springtime.
Book your late fall lawn care services before temperatures drop to give your lawn the best chance to thrive in every season.