Fall Lawn Care Tips for North Texas

Many people think there is not much to do for lawn care in the fall season because grass stops growing as much.  What they don’t realize is how caring for your grass in the fall, helps provide a more healthy lawn and fast start in the spring.  Let me explain…

The summer months are hard on lawns and plants in North Texas.  During the hot weather your lawn uses a lot of nutrients from the soil.

If your grass and plants are weak during the fall season and go into winter with weak roots, then it will be difficult to survive and grow back in the Spring.  So the fall season is a good time to replenish your soil with the lost nutrients.

Fall lawn care is the ideal time to prepare your lawn, giving attention to the following tips below. Need some assistance from our professionals? Click here to visit our lawn care service page.

Continue Watering and Mowing

Continuing to water and mow your lawn during fall helps maintain the health of roots. 

You will want to drop the blade of the mower to the lowest level during the last two cuttings of the year. This is pivotal in allowing more sunlight to penetrate the crown thus less leaf will be turning brown as the winter comes.

Apply Pre-Emergent Fertilizer

You might notice your grass leaves growing more slowly when the weather turns cool, but what you don’t notice is the roots growing more quickly.  Fall is the time to apply a pre-emergent fertilizer,  to help the roots get those nutrients they need and to keep the weeds from growing into spring.

Lawn fertilization in the fall is a great way to help give your grass and plant roots a boost before winter hits.  This is how your grass will come back to life in spring, with a lush green appearance free of weeds.

Soil Aeration

Aerating your lawn during the fall enables the oxygen, water, and fertilizer to reach the grassroots. Lawn aeration is usually done once per year and the fall season is a great time to do it.  Our aerating service for most lawns is about the same as renting an aerator and we do the work.  Ask us for a quote.

Leaf Cleanup

Raking the leaves is not very fun, unless you’re just watching your kids do it 😉  But, it is necessary to remove the leaves from the lawn as soon as possible.  Leaves covering your lawn can cause fungal diseases and root rot.  You don’t need to remove them as soon as you see a few falling from trees.  If you notice any area where it’s getting harder to see your grass because there are too many leaves, then you need to get those raked up and removed quickly.  Click here to visit our service page for affordable leaf removal!

Weed Control

Weeds tend to absorb a lot of energy and nutrients during the fall.  They really hurt your lawn’s chances of maintaining good health going into the dormant season.  We’ve already covered this a little in the topic of lawn fertilization. 

Using a pre-emergent herbicide helps prevent weeds from sprouting. If you already have weeds, you’ll need a post-emergent herbicide to kill the ones that have emerged—but be careful not to apply too much product or mix it with fertilizer at the same time, as it can stress or burn your lawn.

Instead, apply post-emergent weed control earlier in the year. If you still notice weeds in the fall, pull them by hand or use a spot-spray herbicide carefully around your plants.

🍂 Fall Lawn Care Quick Guide for North Texas

Conclusion

Taking care of your lawn in the fall sets the stage for a healthier, greener yard once spring arrives. From fertilizing and aeration to weed control and leaf cleanup, each step plays a role in strengthening your grass before winter dormancy. Even though your lawn’s growth may slow down this time of year, the work you put in now will pay off with thicker, more resilient turf when temperatures warm up again.

If you’d like expert help preparing your lawn for the colder months, Ryno Lawn Care offers professional lawn care services year-round throughout North Texas. Let our team handle the heavy lifting so you can enjoy a beautiful, thriving lawn year-round.

FAQ about Fall Lawn Care

1. What is the most common mistake seen when treating lawns?
Overfertilizing or using the wrong type of product for the season is a common mistake—it can burn your grass or encourage weak growth that won’t survive temperature changes.

2. What is the 150 rule for lawns?
The 150 rule suggests applying about 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre annually (roughly 3.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet) to maintain healthy, dense turf—though exact needs vary by grass type and soil condition.

3. Is it better to leave your lawn long or short for winter?
It’s best to keep grass on the shorter side before winter, but not scalped. Slightly shorter blades reduce disease risk and prevent matting under leaves or snow.

4. Is October too late to fertilize a lawn?
In most regions, including North Texas, October is still a great time to fertilize—just make sure to apply it before the first frost so the nutrients can reach the roots while the soil is still warm.

Hope these suggestions helped you and here is a good article for UK lawn care tips.