A lawn that goes into winter in good shape comes back faster, greens up more evenly, and needs less work in spring. Most of the preparation happens in October, before the ground freezes and while you still have enough warmth for any applied inputs to work. Here is the checklist we run on properties around Valparaiso, Portage, and Hobart before we close out the season.
The final mow: get the height right
The last mow of the year should go a little shorter than your summer height, around 2 to 2.5 inches, but not scalped. Grass that is too long over winter is more susceptible to snow mold, a fungal disease that thrives under a matted canopy of wet grass. Grass that is too short heading into dormancy has less energy reserve going into the cold. Two and a half inches is the target for most NW Indiana cool-season lawns.
Fall fertilizer application
A late-season fertilizer application, sometimes called a winterizer, feeds the root system right before the plant goes dormant. The roots are still active after the top has stopped growing, so nutrients applied in late October are stored and used the following spring for a faster green-up. This is one of the most impactful things you can do for a cool-season lawn.
The full winterization checklist
- Final mow at 2 to 2.5 inches
- Clear all leaves before they mat down and cause snow mold
- Apply a late-season fertilizer before the ground freezes
- Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear and draining away from the lawn
- Pull any dead annuals and tidy the beds
- Mark sprinkler heads and bed edges if you are getting snow removal service
What NOT to do in fall
Do not mow frozen grass. Walking on or mowing a frosted lawn breaks the grass blades at the crown, which is where the plant regrows from. One morning of mowing on frost can leave brown tracks that do not recover until early summer. If the ground is white, wait. Also avoid heavy foot traffic on dormant or near-dormant turf for the same reason.
If you want a crew to handle the final mow, the leaf clearing, and a fertilizer application as a single visit, we cover Valparaiso, Chesterton, Portage and the surrounding area. Reach out before the end of October and we can get you on the schedule.