How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter in Pennsylvania
What you do in October and November determines how your lawn looks next April. Here's the fall checklist for Montgomery County homeowners.
Pennsylvania lawns go dormant in winter, but that doesn't mean they stop needing care in fall. The steps you take between October and the first hard freeze set the stage for spring green-up. Skip them, and you'll spend next year fighting problems that could have been prevented.
Fall Lawn Care Checklist
1. Keep Mowing Until Growth Stops
Many homeowners stop mowing too early. Continue mowing at your normal height (3-3.5 inches for most Pennsylvania lawns) until the grass stops actively growing — usually late October to mid-November in Montgomery County.
For the final cut of the season, lower your mower to about 2.5 inches. Shorter grass going into winter reduces the risk of snow mold, a fungal disease that thrives under matted grass.
2. Remove Fallen Leaves
This one matters more than any other step. Leaves left on the lawn block sunlight, trap moisture, and create ideal conditions for fungal diseases. A thick leaf layer can smother grass entirely.
Options: Rake, blow, or mulch-mow leaves weekly as they fall. Mulch-mowing works if you have light coverage — shredded leaves break down and add nutrients. Heavy coverage requires removal.
3. Aerate in September-October
Core aeration relieves soil compaction and allows air, water, and nutrients to reach grass roots. Fall is the ideal time because cool-season grasses are entering their peak growth period.
Aeration is especially important for Montgomery County's clay-heavy soil, which compacts easily and drains poorly.
4. Overseed Thin Areas
Fall is the best time to overseed in Pennsylvania. Cool temperatures, fall rains, and minimal weed competition give seed the best chance to establish. Combine overseeding with aeration — seeds fall into the aeration holes and germinate quickly.
Seed selection: For sunny lawns, use a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. For shade, choose fine fescue or shade-tolerant tall fescue.
5. Apply Fall Fertilizer
Fall fertilizer (applied in October-November) is the most important feeding of the year for Pennsylvania lawns. The grass uses it to develop strong roots and store energy for winter dormancy and spring green-up.
Use a fertilizer higher in potassium (the third number) to promote root development and winter hardiness. A typical fall formula might be 24-0-10 or similar.
6. Address Weeds Now
Fall is an effective time to treat broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, and plantain. Weeds are actively moving nutrients to their roots for winter storage — herbicide moves with those nutrients and kills the entire plant.
Apply broadleaf weed killer in October when temperatures are still above 50°F.
7. Clean Up Edges and Beds
Define bed edges before winter. Remove debris from beds, cut back perennials (except those with winter interest), and apply a fresh layer of mulch if needed. Clean edges prevent lawn grass from creeping into beds over winter.
Timing Summary for Montgomery County
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Core aeration | September 15 - October 31 |
| Overseeding | September 15 - October 15 |
| Fall fertilizer | October 15 - November 15 |
| Weed treatment | October 1 - November 1 |
| Leaf removal | Weekly, October - November |
| Final mowing (low cut) | Mid-November |
What NOT to Do
- Don't fertilize too late. After the ground freezes, fertilizer sits on the surface and washes away
- Don't skip leaf removal. "They'll blow away" isn't a plan
- Don't cut grass too short too early. Only lower height for the final cut
- Don't ignore bare spots. Fall is your best chance to fix them
Need Help With Fall Lawn Care?
Mex Landscaping provides complete fall lawn care services including aeration, overseeding, fertilization, and fall cleanup. We serve King of Prussia, Norristown, Conshohocken, Plymouth Meeting, and all of Montgomery County.
Book your fall services now — call (484) 739-7502 for a free estimate.