Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Duncan

Winter will be here shortly. While your grass may be slowing down, your work is not yet done. The winter lawn care you perform now, before it gets too cold, has a significant impact on how your yard appears next spring.

A well-prepared lawn in the fall results in a healthier, greener grass in the coming months. It is that simple. Ignoring key lawn care duties results in a patchy, struggling yard that requires more labor to repair. And you don’t want this, do you?

Continue reading to learn what to do with your lawn before the first frost, how to prepare for the following months, and much more.

Be strategic about the last mow of the season.

Your last mowing before winter is critical. You do not want to leave the grass too long or too short.

For warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, or Zoysia, you should aim for a height of 1-1.5 inches. For cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass or fescue, you should adjust your mower to 2-2.5 inches for the last cut. In colder climates, you should cut it shorter and as a result, reduce the chance of snow mold.

Also, remember the one-third rule: never cut more than one-third of a grass blade in a single mowing. If your grass is excessively tall, lower the blade gradually over several mows.

After your last mow, it’s a good idea to service your mower. This calls for you to drain the gas or add a fuel stabilizer, remove any caked-on grass and sharpen the blades. Remember that sharp blades make a clean cut, which is better for the grass.

Doing this now will allow you to get off to a good start in the spring.

Fertilize with a winterizer

Let us be clear. This is not the same fertilizer you apply during the summer. Winterizer fertilizer is designed to benefit the roots, not the blades.

Look for a combination that is high in potassium and low in nitrogen. Potassium strengthens the plant, allowing it to withstand cold and illness. Too much nitrogen promotes top growth, which is sensitive to frost.

The grass will store these nutrients in its roots, giving it a jump start on growth come spring.

When should you fertilize your lawn before winter? For optimal results, do it after aeration. Do not fertilize if the ground is already frozen. The roots cannot absorb nutrients.

Aerate the lawn

Aeration opens up your soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. If you do not aerate your grass, the soil will become compacted over time, making it difficult for roots to breathe and flourish.

When you aerate your soil, you reduce soil compaction and promote the absorption of winter lawn fertilizer and water.

When is the optimum time to aerate? Before the first frost, when the soil is still workable.

Aerate only when the earth is not frozen. This can injure the grass crowns and cause considerably more harm than benefit.

Add compost

After aeration, consider applying a thin layer of compost or mulched leaves to the lawn.

Compost gradually releases nutrients and helps the soil retain moisture. Mulched leaves contribute organic matter to the soil. Furthermore, it is less laborious than raking. Simply run over them with your mower a few times to help them break down over winter.

But make sure the leaves are thoroughly mulched. Large clumps of whole leaves can smother grass. And you don’t want this, do you?

Things to avoid when winterizing your lawn

Did you know that you can perform certain things at the wrong time, resulting in significant damage to your lawn? So, keep these common blunders in mind as you prepare your lawn for winter.

• Skipping aeration can result in rock-hard soil that is too compacted to benefit from winter lawn fertilizer.
• Fertilizing too late with a high-nitrogen mixture.
• Overseeding late prevents the new grass from establishing itself before the first frost.
• Forgetting to conduct a soil test to determine pH. Remember that grass flourishes in a specified range.
• Leaving toys, furniture, and heavy layers of leaves on your lawn all winter can result in unsightly patches of dead or diseased grass.

Should you hire a professional to help you out?

The homeowner can complete many winter lawn care activities. If you have a small lawn, enjoy this type of work, and already have the necessary tools, you can easily keep it in good shape throughout the winter season.

However, you may wish to hire a professional if any of the following are true:

You have a large lawn. When dealing with a large piece of property, work and time can quickly add up. What would take an expert an hour to complete could take you all day, and that’s if everything goes flawlessly. So, consider hiring a professional if you have a large yard.

The soil is hard, or you have not aerated in years. Severely compacted soil demands more than a half-hearted effort. To actually break through and make an impact, you need the right tools and techniques, which you might not have. In such a case, you should hire a professional to help you.

You’re noticing signs of larger problems. If you notice any lawn illnesses, discolored patches of grass, or damaging bugs, please contact professionals right away.

Those should be diagnosed and treated, not guessed at. A specialist can tell you what’s wrong and how to treat it before it worsens.

You simply don’t have the time or aren’t physically prepared. With a job, family, and other obligations, hiring a professional is sometimes the most convenient option. Why risk harming yourself?