Fall Lawn Care Checklist: Must-Have Tools and Proven Tips

As the weather cools off and the leaves begin to fall from the trees, the changing of the season also calls for a change in lawn care needs. Prepping the lawn and garden for the colder months goes beyond how the lawn looks but it also includes the tools needed to keep everything in order. This can be one of the most critical periods for lawn and plant maintenance because if done right, it’ll come back greener and more lush than ever. To achieve this goal, though, professionals will need the right tools to get them from start to finish. With the right tools and techniques, fall lawn care is manageable.

Mowers, trimmers, blowers, rakes, and even chainsaws can be used to tackle each stage of fall lawn care prep. This fall lawn care guide will cover the steps to healthy spring landscaping in detail and offer tool recommendations that make each job easier to complete.

It may seem counterproductive to mow the lawn one more time before the cold weather truly hits, but it’s important not to skip the last mowing session. Cutting the grass short before the cold winter weather hits minimizes the chance of overgrown grass blades matting from snow or slush, which can create a moist environment for fungi or pests.

The no-mow trend started in spring with the slogan “No Mow May.” This catchy name was used to gain support for a movement for our pollinators. According to  NASA, our lawns cover roughly 2% of land in the USA, which means that they're the largest crop we grow and water. Although it seems like a great idea to create a habitat just for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, experts didn’t seem to be on the same page.

Tamson Yeh, who is a turf specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County in New York, was interviewed with AP NEWS about this no-mow trend and expressed that “It’s such a nice slogan, but letting the grass grow high and allowing it to do its thing, and then suddenly mowing it back is really counterproductive.” 

So, if you’re still wondering if the lawn should be mowed during the fall season, we have the answer for you, and it’s yes. According to experts, you should aim to cut your grass around “2.5 inches before the first frost in winter” to keep it at a happy height where the frost won’t damage the roots, but the long grass won’t grow mold and disease.

Continuing edging and hedge trimming is another important step to maintaining a proper yard during the fall. Edging helps prevent stray grass patches from creeping into garden beds and covering pathways while also keeping the roots in check during the colder months. Hedging trimmers, different from edgers, remove the overgrowth that comes with the lawn care territory. Though it may seem like this step can be skipped, it’s not something to let sneak away from you in the long run, as it can quickly grow out of control.

If you’re a Milwaukee fan and already own several QUIK-LOK attachments, then we’d recommend going with the  Milwaukee 49-16-2719 M18 FUEL QUIK-LOK Articulating Hedge Trimmer Attachment, as this attachment works for larger hedges and allows you to adjust the head for angled cuts. It’s part of Milwaukee’s QUIK-LOK system, so you can swap it out with other attachments as needed.

If you’re not interested in the Milwaukee QUIK-LOK system and just want a separate kit, we recommend the  DeWalt DCKO86M1 20V Pole Hedge & Pole Saw Combo Kit.  This versatile combo handles both low trimming and higher branches, perfect for yards with various styles of foliage.

To help with the leaf cleanup, we suggest using your blower first to get every scrap into the yard and off pathways and push it all into piles for easier rake access. We recommend the  Milwaukee 3017-20 M18 FUEL Blower . This leaf blower offers professionals the best-in-class power-to-size ratio and is lightweight and balanced enough to carry on-site without trouble. It delivers 500 CFM, 120 MPH, and 12.2 N for class-leading performance.

After using the leaf blower, use a rake like the  MarshallTown RED700109 24435 - 32" Plain Lute , which has a sturdy, lightweight body and a magnesium head . It makes quick work of large areas with heavy leaf fall, giving professionals better control over the area. Easily rake the debris into piles and either throw it away or save some for composting.

Aerating, overseeding, and fertilizing work together to give your lawn a solid foundation before winter. Compacted soil, especially in high-traffic areas, can choke roots by limiting access to water, oxygen, and other nutrients. Aerating opens up the soil, poking small holes to let air, water, and nutrients reach the roots, which are the perfect prep for overseeding and fertilizing.

To get the most out of aeration, choose a damp day, making it easier to pull plugs. Focus on compacted spots, like paths and play areas, and work in a grid pattern to ensure even coverage. Once aerated, it’s prime time to overseed, especially if you’ve got bare patches. Fall’s cooler weather and regular moisture help seedlings establish roots before winter, filling in gaps and creating a dense, healthier lawn.

Adding a high-potassium fertilizer builds strong roots to support new growth and withstand cold temperatures. Apply the fertilizer three to four weeks before the first frost to give nutrients time to settle in. With aeration, overseeding, and a solid dose of nutrients, your lawn will have a strong start come spring, ready to grow thick and lush with minimal effort.

With the right approach to fall lawn care, you’re setting up the yard for a strong comeback into spring. Each step (from mowing and edging to aerating and fertilizing) lays down a solid foundation for your lawn to withstand the winter and thrive in the new season. By investing in quality tools and taking time for these maintenance jobs, lawn care becomes less of a chore and more of a routine with a payoff that you can see. 

Whether it’s the power of an efficient Milwaukee blower, the precision of a well-chosen electric mower (with no harmful gasses or emissions), or the extra strength your lawn can gain from aeration and fertilization, fall lawn prep is an essential move for any lawn care pro looking to make the rejuvenation of spring easier. Get the hard part done now, and you’ll have a yard ready to take on the next season, greener and healthier than ever.