Fall & Winter
Snow mold on Minnesota lawns last spring: what to change this fall
Snow mold hit many Minnesota lawns last spring. Learn the fall changes that reduce it: final mowing height, leaf handling, and fertilizer timing.
Fall & Winter
20 articles
Fall & Winter
Can you still core-aerate the lawn in the second half of October?
Late October core aeration can work if the grass is still growing and the soil is moist and unfrozen. Here's how to check, and when to wait.
Fall & Winter
What do you do with the pumpkins after Halloween so they do not sit on the grass?
Move carved pumpkins off the turf within days to compost, a drop-off, or a garden bed so the grass doesn't die underneath. Local rules vary.
Fall & Winter
Frost on the Lawn? Wait for the Thaw, Then Mow
Frost doesn't end mowing season. Learn when to mow after a frost and how to protect your lawn until growth stops for the season.
Fall & Winter
How Short Is Short Enough Going Into Winter?
Long grass mats under snow and invites snow mold. Scalping it hurts the crowns. The right final mowing height for cool-season lawns, and how to get there without shocking the grass.
Fall & Winter
Why Spring Seeding Loses to Weeds (and What to Do Instead)
If you missed fall seeding, spring sounds like the next best time. Up north it usually isn't. Why spring seed struggles, and why dormant seeding or waiting for August often works better.
Fall & Winter
What to Do the Week Before the First Hard Freeze
When the forecast shows the first night in the 20s, here's the short list: the lawn, the hoses, the mower, the trees and the gutters. Most of it takes an afternoon.
Fall & Winter
Thatch Over Half an Inch Will Waste Your Grass Seed
Seed sitting on a spongy layer of thatch dries out before it can root. How to measure thatch, why it matters for overseeding, and what to do about it.
Fall & Winter
Watering New Grass Seed When the Nights Are Already Cold
Late-seeded grass still needs water, but cold nights change the rules. How often to water, what time of day, and when to stop once the irrigation is blown out.
Fall & Winter
Your Fall Seeding Browned in the Cold. Does It Need More Fertilizer?
New grass that looks brown after a cold snap is usually dormant, not hungry. Why more fertilizer now does more harm than good, and how to tell whether seedlings are alive.
Fall & Winter
Wet Leaves Under the First Snow Are How Snow Mold Gets Started
Snow mold doesn't start with snow. It starts with matted leaves and long wet grass going into winter. Why fall cleanup is the best snow mold prevention a homeowner has.
Fall & Winter
Is It Too Late to Overseed in October?
The best window for cool-season seed is mid-August to mid-September. In October it depends on where you live, the soil temperature and the seed you pick. How to decide, and what to…