Want the yard ready for winter without the work? Our fall cleanups get the leaves off the lawn, cut back perennials and grasses and trim overgrown shrubs before the snow comes. Fall visits are booking now.
Clear the leaves before the snow comes
A thick layer of wet leaves is the most common winter lawn killer here. Under a foot of snow, it traps moisture against the grass for months. The result in April is matted, yellow patches and often snow mold.
A light scatter of leaves can be chopped up with a mower and left in place. Anything thicker should come off the lawn. Do it more than once if your trees drop late, because the oaks often hang on into November. Leaves in the beds can be cleared at the same time so they do not blow back onto the grass. If you are short on time, our fall cleanup checklist lists everything in order.
The last mow of the season
Keep mowing as long as the grass keeps growing, which often runs into November here. Cut at your normal summer height. Do not scalp it short, which stresses the crowns, and do not let it go long either.
Long grass flops over under snow and mats down. That matted layer is where snow mold gets going. A lawn that goes into winter at a normal height, with the clippings and leaves cleared, dries out faster in spring and greens up sooner. Sharpen the blade before the last few cuts so the tips are clean rather than torn.
How to prepare your lawn for winter: fix bare and low spots
Bare patches left open over winter erode, collect weeds and grow bigger. If it is still mid-September, seed them. Later than that, cover them with a little topsoil and plan to seed in spring, or consider dormant seeding late in the season.
Low spots are the bigger problem. Water collects in them, freezes into a sheet of ice and smothers the grass underneath. Fill them with soil now and they will not hold water in March. Sunken sewer or utility trenches belong in this group too. Larger uneven areas usually need real grading and lawn prep rather than a few bags of soil.
Beds, shrubs and perennials along the lawn
The beds next to the lawn need attention too. Cut back perennials that turn to mush after frost, such as hostas and daylilies, so they do not rot and spread disease. Ornamental grasses and seed heads can stay for winter interest if you like the look.
Trim shrubs that hang over the lawn or walks, since heavy snow will bend them down onto the grass. A fresh layer of mulch in the beds helps insulate roots through freeze-thaw swings. Fall is also a good time to plant, as roots keep growing in warm soil. Our fall landscaping page covers planting and cleanups together.
Drainage and the freeze-thaw cycle
Western New York winters swing back and forth across freezing all season. Every thaw sends water across the lawn, and every freeze locks it in place. On heavy clay, that water has nowhere to go.
Before winter, check where your downspouts empty. A downspout that dumps onto the lawn creates a soggy patch that turns to ice. Extend it so water runs away from the house and off the grass. Walk the yard after a heavy fall rain and note where water sits. Those spots are where winter damage will show up first in spring.
Plan for plows, snow piles and salt
Plows and snow blowers tear up turf along driveway edges every year. Put reflective stakes along the edges before the first storm so whoever clears the drive can see where the pavement ends.
Decide where snow piles will go. A big pile on one patch of lawn melts last and leaves that patch matted and thin. Rock salt along walks and drives also burns the grass beside them, so use as little as needed and shovel before you salt. In West Seneca, we clear driveways and walkways through The Big Freeze LLC, Patrick's winter company. See snow removal and plowing for details. Call (716) 671-4971 for a free estimate on fall work or winter service.
The short version
- Remove thick leaf layers before snow to prevent matted grass and snow mold.
- Keep mowing at a normal height until growth stops; do not scalp or leave it long.
- Fill low spots now so they do not turn into ice sheets in March.
- Extend downspouts away from the lawn and the house before winter.
- Stake driveway edges and plan snow piles to limit plow and salt damage.
Quick answers
When should I stop mowing in the fall in Western New York?
When the grass stops growing, which is often in November. Keep cutting at your normal height until then, rather than one very short final cut.
Is it bad to leave leaves on the lawn over winter?
A thin layer chopped by a mower is fine. A thick wet layer smothers the grass under snow and often leaves dead patches and snow mold in spring.
What is snow mold and how do I prevent it?
It is a fungus that grows on grass under long snow cover, leaving gray or pink matted circles in spring. Clear leaves, avoid long grass going into winter and rake matted spots lightly once the snow melts.
How do I protect my lawn from road salt and plows?
Mark driveway edges with stakes, keep snow piles off the same patch of lawn and use salt sparingly. Rinse salty areas with water in spring and reseed what does not recover.
Want this done for you? Patrick comes out, looks at the yard and talks through the options. The estimate is free.