Fall lawn care

October 4, 2026

Patricia Hanbidge, Lead Horticulturist, Orchid Horticulture

Key points from this story:

• Nourish soil with finished compost
• Apply slow release fertilizer
• Overseed thin lawn areas
• Consider fall aeration for compaction
• Mow until growth ceases
• Rake leaves and mulch them

As the days continue to cool and we get less hours of daylight, it is still important to care for your turf areas. Turf or lawn areas are one of the highest maintenance areas in your outdoor living space. These areas are needy throughout the year; so do not forget your lawn this fall. Autumn is actually one of the most important times of the year to ensure you continue to have a healthy and happy lawn.

One of the guiding principles of having a healthy lawn with a more "organic" approach is to nourish the soil. In the autumn it is a good time to apply finished compost to the surface of the lawn to help add nutrients but also to help in the overall health of the soil. The addition of organic matter like compost that is top dressed on the lawn will add microorganisms that will help break down the thatch which in turn will ensure a healthier lawn. A light layer which is then raked or watered in is the easiest way to do this job.

If you would like to apply a fall fertilizer, which is very much recommended, then apply a slow release fertilizer that is higher in potassium. This helps to toughen up the grass to help be ready for the impending winter. There are many slow release fertilizers that work well to apply at this time of year that make nutrients available to the turf in the early spring. It is not a good idea to apply a conventional fertilizer at this time that is released immediately.

If your lawn was getting a bit thin in any area, the fall is the perfect time to overseed. A lawn area that is most healthy is one that is so dense that weeds are unable to grow due to the competition. Ensure that you choose cultivars that will suit what is already growing there but also consider some varieties that are able to withstand specific cultural conditions. For example, some of the perennial rye grasses and some of the fine fescues might better suit areas that have light soil that is not well watered.

If your lawn area has had high traffic it is likely compacted. If so, then consider fall aeration. The process of aeration involved removing small plugs of earth from the top layer of the soil. This helps in allowing water, air and any applied nutrients penetrate the soil more easily which in turn helps to make your lawn healthier.

Please continue to mow your lawn until the temperatures drop low enough that the lawn stops growing. Do not let your lawn go into fall too long or too short. A turf that is too long will encourage the development of snow mold in the very early spring. A lawn that is too short will often show more injury during fall conditions that are less than ideal. If you have been cutting your lawn at a higher level (i.e. about three inches) then continue to mow at that height until growth ceases.

Don't forget to put your lawn mower away well maintained. Sharpen the blades so it is ready to go first thing in the spring. If you run a gas mower, then clean or switch out the air filters, change the spark plug or even get a tune-up. If your lawnmower needs to be retired, then consider getting a new one this fall - while the sales are on. In fact, why not choose a sustainable alternative and purchase a reel mower that relies on your power rather than electricity or fuel?

Last but not least, do not forget to rake up those leaves. Make it a fun chore involving the family or friends by making a time consuming chore into a game. When was the last time you played in a pile of fallen leaves? If it has been too long, find a child to help you and then everyone will understand your childish joy in this great fall activity. Make the task easier using blowers or mowers to help with the biggest part of the job. Finish it off by mulching those leaves in order to help protect your plants against the cold winds of winter and compost any that is extra!