It may seem like it's time for your lawn maintenance chores to be coming to an end, but fall is an important time for lawn care. What you do at the end of the growing season will determine how healthy your lawn is next spring and summer. This is a good time to guard your lawn against weeds, diseases, and other problems. The following tips can help.

Tip #1: Drop your mower height

Overly long grass going into winter can be more prone to some winter fungal issues, such as snow mold. This is because the long grass becomes matted under ice and snow. Then, as the lower layers of ice begin melting, fungal spores move into the dead and damaged grass blades and begin feeding. It can take weeks for the damage to grow out in summer. To avoid this, reduce the height of your mower blades until the cut grass is only about 1 ½ inches high. This is tall enough for the grass blades to protect and insulate the roots without major fungal issues.

Tip #2: Clear out the debris

As the autumn leaf show progresses, those leaves are going to end up on your lawn. Piles of leaves are a recipe for disaster if you don't clean them up. Fungal spores, diseases, and insect pests can all overwinter in leaf piles to attack your lawn in spring. Piles of wet, matted leaves sitting on the winter lawn can also kill the grass. Rake the leaves up and either dispose of them or use them to feed the compost pile.

Tip #3: Thicken your lawn

Lawns often thin out over the summer, especially along common walkways or in areas where it is heavily played upon. This is why powerseeding services are usually offered in fall. You can also reseed the lawn yourself. A good time to reseed is right before the first snowfall. The snow will insulate and protect the newly laid seed from feeding birds. By the time the snow melts, the seeds will be ready for spring germination.

Tip #4: Apply a fall lawn treatment

Fall is also a good time to treat your lawn for a variety of potential issues. A light fertilization will ensure there is essential nutrients available to the grass as soon as it resumes spring growth. It's also a good time to apply a fall weed treatment to kill off any remaining trouble plants. Finally, if grubs are an issue, apply the treatment before winter comes so that these pests aren't able to overwinter in your lawn.

For more tips about fall lawn care, contact a professional like those at Mr Green Thumb.