Nebraska winters are harsh, and your lawn needs proper preparation to survive the cold months and emerge healthy in spring. Follow this comprehensive fall checklist to give your lawn the best chance for success.

Fall Lawn Care Timeline for Nebraska

Timing is everything when preparing your lawn for winter. Here's when to complete each task in the Elkhorn and Omaha area:

September: Final aeration and overseeding
October: Apply winterizer fertilizer, continue mowing
November: Final mow, leaf removal, equipment storage

Step 1: Keep Mowing Until Growth Stops

Don't stop mowing just because fall arrives. Continue cutting your grass as long as it's growing. Gradually lower your mowing height with each cut, ending at about 2.5 inches for the final mow.

Why? Grass that's too long going into winter is prone to snow mold and other fungal diseases. Grass that's too short lacks the energy reserves needed to survive dormancy.

Step 2: Apply Fall Fertilizer

Fall fertilization is arguably more important than spring feeding. A winterizer fertilizer (high in potassium) helps:

Strengthen root systems before ground freezes
Build energy reserves for spring green-up
Improve cold tolerance and disease resistance

Apply between mid-October and early November, before the first hard freeze.

Step 3: Aerate and Overseed

Fall is the prime time for aeration in Nebraska. The combination of warm soil and cool air temperatures creates ideal conditions for grass seed germination.

After aerating, overseed thin or bare areas. The aeration holes provide perfect pockets for seed-to-soil contact.

Step 4: Remove Leaves Regularly

Don't let fallen leaves smother your lawn. A thick layer of leaves blocks sunlight and traps moisture, promoting disease. Remove leaves weekly or mulch them with your mower.

Step 5: Address Bare Spots

Any bare spots in your lawn will be magnets for weeds in spring. Overseed these areas in fall when conditions favor grass growth over weed germination.

Step 6: Drain and Store Equipment

Before storing your mower and irrigation equipment:

Drain fuel from mower or add stabilizer
Clean mower deck and sharpen blades
Blow out sprinkler lines to prevent freeze damage
Store hoses indoors

Professional Fall Lawn Care

Preparing your lawn for winter involves multiple steps with specific timing requirements. Owen's Mowing offers comprehensive fall lawn care packages for Elkhorn, West Omaha, and Bennington residents. We handle aeration, fertilization, overseeding, and leaf removal so your lawn is winter-ready.

How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter in Nebraska: Fall Checklist