As temperatures begin to cool with winter just around the corner, lawn care is not always top of mind. Fall is the perfect time to condition your lawn to make it strong and healthy for next spring. Follow these steps to prepare your lawn for winter.

Rake early and often

Raking is not an overly fun task but it does help to maintain a healthy lawn. As soon as the first leaves hit the ground, begin to rake. Don’t wait until the trees have shed all their leaves, as they will trap much needed moisture. When this happens, your lawn gets suffocated and can become a breeding ground for fungus.

Continue to mow

Even though winter is approaching, continue to mow your lawn throughout the fall season. During this time, adjust your mower to a lower setting at about one-and-a-half to two inches. By lowering the blade, the sun can more easily reach the crown of the grass to help it store extra nutrients over the winter months.

Fertilize

While it’s good to fertilize your lawn at any point of the year, it’s critical to do so in autumn. It is best to wait until mid- to late-fall, but be sure to use a specially formulated fall fertilizer with a spreader to ensure all areas are covered. Come spring, grass grows quickly and the fertilizer that was applied in fall will kick-start your lawn’s growth.

Aerate

Aerating often seems like a tedious task before the snow falls, but it is highly beneficial for your lawn. Aerating increases the amount of  oxygen, water and fertilizer that reaches the roots, thereby making them stronger. Plan to aerate when the ground is moist and easy to work with. Keep in mind that for larger yards there are many landscaping companies that will aerate for you.

Manage weeds

Weeds might have been popping up on your lawn all summer long, but fall is the right time to get rid of them for good. During this time of year, weeds tend to absorb anything they can, including herbicides. Spray the correct herbicide for the weed taking over your lawn to ensure they won’t be back next year.

After completing the necessary steps to prepare your lawn for winter, store your tools, herbicide and fertilizer in a dry area in your garage or shed. With the return of spring, your lawn will be strong and healthy, making the work you did in the fall well worth it.