Preparing Your Lawn for Fall: Essential Tips

Mowing: Keep Mowing

Don’t put the mower away just yet. Grass keeps growing until the first hard frost. The trick? Lower the blade a little with each mow until your grass is about 2–2.5 inches tall for the season’s last cut.

Why bother? Shorter grass won’t get crushed under snow, which helps prevent mold. Plus, more sunlight reaches the crown of the grass, giving it the energy it needs for winter.

Neighbor tip: If you’ve got a mulching mower, use it! It chops up leaves and grass into tiny pieces that break down naturally — free fertilizer without the hassle of bagging.

Aeration: Undo the Summer Stomp

After months of BBQs, backyard parties, and kids running around, your soil is probably packed down tight. That makes it harder for water and nutrients to get to the roots.

Aeration solves that. It pulls out little plugs of soil, creating pathways for air, water, and food to reach the roots. Think of it as giving your lawn a deep breath before winter.

Overseeding: Fill in the Bald Spots

If summer left your lawn patchy or thin, fall is the perfect time to fix it. Cooler temps are gentle on new seedlings, and the soil’s still warm enough to help them sprout fast.



Pro move: aerate before you overseed. Those little holes are the perfect landing spot for grass seed. And for Boise yards, a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass usually does the trick.

Fertilizer: The Big Meal Before Winter

If you only fertilize once a year, make it now. A fall feeding helps grass grow deeper roots and store up energy for winter, so it bounces back stronger in the spring.

Look for fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium — those nutrients toughen up the roots and help fight off disease. Don’t go heavy on nitrogen this time of year; new blades won’t handle the cold well.

Weed Control: Hit Them When They’re Weak

Fall is actually the best time to deal with weeds like dandelions. Just like your lawn, they’re sending nutrients down to their roots — which means when you hit them with weed killer, it goes straight to the source. Knock them out now, and you’ll see fewer popping up in spring.

Why Fall Prep Pays Off

Fall lawn care isn’t about doing more work — it’s about doing the right work. A little attention now means fewer weeds, less damage, and a greener, healthier yard when Boise thaws out again.

At Safari Lawn Care, as a professional lawn care company in Boise Idaho, we love helping our neighbors get the kind of lawn they’re proud of — without the stress of figuring it all out alone. Whether you want a hand with aeration, overseeding, or the whole fall prep package, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to give your yard a head start on fall? Reach out today.