Sure, You May Not Need to Mow as Often. But These Tasks Are Essential for Fall Lawn Care

You’re probably relieved to have a slight break from mowing the lawn now that the leaves are starting to fall. But this is the time of year to double down and perform some key lawn maintenance if you want a greener, healthier lawn next season. The good news is that the grass may be growing more slowly now, so you won’t have to mow as often, making time for the additional work. Ahead, I've laid out six essential lawn care tasks to take care of in October.

Task #1: Keep Mowing

man using a push mower

It’s important to keep mowing as needed, right up until the first hard frost. As always, never mow more than 1/3 of the grass’s total height. On your last cut of the season mow just a little shorter than usual—lower the blade up to an inch lower. This will help the grass dry out faster in the spring, and hinder mold and mildew growth which can harm your lawn.

Task #2: Aerate Soil

Aeration involves punching holes in the soil that let water, air, and nutrients in, to reach the roots of the grass. This will help your lawn come out the other side of winter stronger and healthier.

There are different types of aerators—some have spikes or points that roll over the soil piercing it, but the better type has hollow tips that punch round holes in the soil. These are known as plug or core aerators, and can be towed behind a lawn tractor, or self-propelled, walk behind machines. They can be expensive machines, for once-a-year use, so consider renting an aerator at a home center—rather than buying one.

Task #3: Overseed

closeup of a hand distributing grass seeds on a lawn

Overseeding is a process where seed is spread over your existing lawn. It helps fill thin or bare spots as well as improve density and overall appearance. Early fall is a perfect time to overseed, as the soil is still warm, the air temperatures are cooler, and the ground generally holds moisture longer which helps seeds to germinate.

You can use a broadcast spreader or a walk-behind overseeder, with the latter being a more precise, efficient option—but, like the self-propelled aerator, more economical to rent.

Task #4: Water

If you’ve overseeded, you’ll need to water your lawn lightly, and frequently for two to three weeks to help the seeds germinate.

Task #5: Fertilize

fertilizer in a fertilizer spreader

Your lawn can get stressed from the heat of the summer and higher levels of traffic, so fall is a good time to fertilize and help it recover and be prepared for winter. Many lawn care brands have fertilizers designed specifically for fall.

Task #6: Mulch Leaves

When possible, use a mulching mower to chop up leaves into fine bits that can fall through the grass and filter down to the soil to decompose. Don’t let the leaves get to deep, or there will be more than the mower can handle—it’s better to mulch fewer leaves in multiple sessions spread out over a couple weeks. If you typically get more leaf volume than can be practically mulched, just do it a couple times when the leaves first start to fall. Then collect and remove the rest.