When to start autumn lawn care, how often to mow it, whether fertilizing is necessary, and why fallen leaves should never be left in a thick layer? The most important questions are answered by Regina Kanevičienė, agronomist at “Linas Agro”.
The start of autumn for the lawn is dictated by the weather, not the calendar
For many, late August or September still feels like a continuation of summer, but it is precisely at this time that you can start thinking about preparing the lawn for autumn. However, one should not blindly follow the calendar date – some years autumn may start earlier, while in others the warmth may linger much longer.
“Lawn care should be based not on the calendar but on weather conditions. Autumn care can begin at the end of August or in September, the main thing is that the summer heat has subsided. Then the soil retains more moisture, nights are cooler, and lawn growth slows down,” says R. Kanevičienė.
This means that the first autumn tasks can begin when the lawn is no longer forced to endure summer heat and drought. However, autumn care is not a short few-week phase: if autumn is warm and the grass continues to grow, it needs to be cared for until late autumn.
“Active care is needed until late autumn, as long as the lawn is still growing. According to the calendar, this can be October or even November, depending on the weather conditions,” emphasizes the agronomist.
In summer we grow the lawn, in autumn – prepare it for winter
One of the most important things to understand is that autumn care is not just a continuation of summer tasks. The goal itself changes. “In summer, we mainly encourage lawn growth, fertilize with nitrogen, water abundantly, and mow frequently. But during autumn fertilization, we reduce the nitrogen amount because at this time it is more important not to stimulate growth but to strengthen the lawn for winter, so potassium becomes more significant,” explains R. Kanevičienė.
According to her, potassium is important because it helps the plant strengthen and prepare for winter challenges. It contributes to the plant’s resistance, helps regulate water balance, and strengthens plant cell walls, so the lawn can better withstand the cold season.
In other words, the goal in autumn is not to grow as much green mass as possible. Now it is more important to provide the lawn with conditions to strengthen so that winter frosts and changing weather conditions cause as little damage as possible.
Where to start?
Before starting specific tasks, it is worth simply assessing how the lawn looks after summer. Has it remained dense? Are there any thinning areas? Maybe some grass is dried out, trampled, or damaged by pets? Or has the soil become hard and compacted after summer?
According to the agronomist, autumn care should begin with such an assessment. She suggests arranging tasks in a fairly clear sequence: first assess the lawn’s condition, then, if necessary, aerate and reseed thinning areas, fertilize with autumn fertilizers, and throughout the season do not forget mowing and removing fallen leaves. This sequence allows not only to perform necessary tasks but also not to waste time on what your lawn may not need at all.
To aerate or not?
One of the tasks that lawn owners may think about less often is aeration, which can be especially beneficial after an intense summer.
“Autumn is quite a good time for lawn aeration. After summer, the soil is often compacted due to intense trampling or use of machinery, and aeration allows more air, water, and nutrients to penetrate. This is especially relevant in clay soils and lawns with heavy use,” says the agronomist.
Aeration is important not because it is another “mandatory” task on the garden work list. Its essence is to create better conditions for the soil and roots. Therefore, if after summer the lawn looks tired, the soil is hard, and water is absorbed with difficulty, this task deserves more attention.
In September we revive, mow, and manage leaves
Summer is not equally favorable for all lawns. Some are weakened by drought, others by intense walking, games, or pets, so by the end of summer there may be bare, yellowed, or thinning spots. September can be one of the best times to reseed the lawn.
“I would advise reseeding the lawn in September while the soil is still warm but the air temperature is no longer so high. Because of this, seeds germinate quickly, and young plants experience less stress,” says R. Kanevičienė.
So if after summer you notice that the lawn is not as dense as before, you should not wait until spring. In autumn, you can fix damaged areas and give new grass a chance to establish before winter.
You are also mistaken if you think that in September it is time to put the lawnmower away. If the grass is still growing, its care does not end just because the calendar says autumn. “You need to mow the lawn as long as it grows, that is, throughout autumn. Often the last mowing has to be done even in November,” says the agronomist and adds: “The last autumn mowing should not be very low, but you also cannot leave the lawn too tall. Too tall grass can lie down under the snow and become a favorable environment for diseases, while too short grass becomes sensitive to frost and struggles to survive the winter.”
Also, do not forget that leaves on the lawn are not just an aesthetic issue. “If there are few leaves and they lie for a short time, it certainly will not cause problems, but a thicker layer should not remain on the lawn. Under the leaves, the lawn will not get enough light and air, moisture will accumulate, which can manifest as fungal diseases. In spring, bald spots may appear under the left leaves,” warns R. Kanevičienė, so regular leaf removal is not just about making the lawn look tidy – it is a direct part of lawn health care.
Not every yellow spot means disease
In autumn, various spots or patches may appear on the lawn, which can signal diseases, pests, or even unsuitable growing conditions. “In autumn, fungal diseases are most common. You need to pay attention to whitish or pinkish spots, round yellowed patches, moldy areas,” lists the agronomist. She emphasizes that it is important not to rush to diagnose the problem based solely on color. Yellowing grass can be caused by more than one reason – from compacted soil to excess moisture or nutrient deficiency. A significant signal can also be if birds or other animals start showing particular interest in certain lawn areas.
“It is worth paying attention to places where the lawn easily separates from the soil like a carpet – this may be a sign that there are chafer larvae or other root-feeding pests in the soil. Also, unexpectedly appearing dry patches, even though moisture seems sufficient, can be a bad sign,” says R. Kanevičienė.
According to her, it is worth observing increased animal activity as well: “Often they do not cause problems themselves but are looking for larvae in the soil. If you see jackdaws, crows, or other birds constantly pecking certain spots, it is worth checking the soil.”
The most important thing is not to postpone addressing the problem until spring once it is noticed. “A problem identified in autumn often allows avoiding much greater damage the next season,” says the agronomist.
So the formula for autumn lawn care is basically not complicated: assess, fix, feed, and protect. Look at what the lawn lacks after summer, aerate compacted soil, reseed thinning areas in September, choose appropriate autumn fertilizers, mow as long as the lawn grows, and do not let fallen leaves cover the green carpet in a thick layer.
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And most importantly – do not forget that a beautiful spring lawn starts precisely in autumn.
