Fall Cleanup: Preparing Your Lawn for Winter
As the temperatures drop and the leaves begin to fall, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your lawn for winter. A little care and attention in the fall can go a long way in ensuring your grass comes back healthier and greener when spring arrives. At The Lawn Care Company, we know how crucial this time of year is for the health of your lawn, so we’ve put together a few tips to help you get your yard ready for the colder months.
1. Rake and Remove Leaves
Fallen leaves may look beautiful, but leaving them to pile up on your lawn can suffocate the grass, blocking sunlight and trapping moisture. This creates an ideal environment for diseases and pests to thrive. Regular raking will help keep your lawn clean and allow your grass to breathe before the snow arrives.
2. Aerate Your Lawn
Aeration is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your lawn in the fall. This process involves creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. Aerating your lawn before winter helps to relieve soil compaction, encourages deeper root growth, and prepares your lawn to absorb fall fertilization more effectively.
Wondering whether compacted soil is affecting your lawn? Read our fall core aeration guide.
3. Fall Fertilization
Fertilizer needs depend on your lawn and soil. Illinois Extension identifies late summer and early fall as a useful feeding period for cool-season lawns, but phosphorus or potassium should be based on a demonstrated need rather than a blanket “winterizer” recommendation. Follow a soil-test-based plan and the product label. Read Illinois Extension’s lawn fertilization guidance.
4. Address Weeds and Bare Spots
Fall is the ideal time to tackle pesky weeds that have taken root in your lawn. Removing them now prevents them from coming back stronger next year. If your lawn has bare spots, consider overseeding in the fall to give the new grass time to establish itself before winter sets in.
5. Adjust Your Mowing Height
Keep mowing as needed while the grass is growing. Use a height suited to your grass type and avoid a drastic final cut. Illinois Extension notes that lowering the mower for the last cut is usually unnecessary. Read its mowing guidance for grass-specific recommendations.
6. Clean Up Lawn Equipment
After your last mow, take time to clean and maintain your lawn equipment. This is the perfect time to sharpen mower blades, check the oil, and ensure everything is in good working order for next spring. Properly storing your equipment during the winter can extend its life and make spring maintenance a breeze.
7. Plan Ahead for Next Year
We’re planning to add fertilization and weed-control services. A start date has not been confirmed. Contact us to ask about future availability.
Need help with fall maintenance? We provide seasonal yard cleanup and lawn-care services in Bourbonnais, Bradley, Kankakee, Manteno, and nearby Kankakee County communities, subject to route availability. Request a fall cleanup estimate.
Updated September 20, 2026.
