Last call for fall prep — here’s how to protect your outdoor investment before winter hits.
Fall is beautiful in New England — but it’s also brief. Once temperatures drop and the ground begins to harden, your window to protect your lawn and landscape from winter damage quickly closes. If you haven’t tackled your seasonal maintenance yet, October is your last chance.
At Cole Landscaping, we help homeowners get ahead of winter with proactive lawn care, final cutbacks, drainage prep, and protective treatments. This blog covers the key steps you should take now to ensure your property bounces back beautifully come spring.
1. Complete Your Final Lawn Treatments
Fall is one of the most important times to feed your lawn. A final round of fertilizer strengthens root systems and helps grass survive freezing temperatures.
Why it matters:
- Builds winter resistance in turf
- Encourages early spring growth
- Prevents root damage from frost
We also recommend one last mow at a shorter setting — this helps prevent matting and mold as snow accumulates.
2. Schedule Core Aeration
Aerating your lawn in early fall helps loosen compacted soil and allows oxygen, nutrients, and water to reach the roots. It’s also the ideal time to overseed if you want thicker grass coverage in the spring.
Best results happen when:
- Soil is still workable (not frozen)
- Daytime temps are cool, but not yet frigid
- There's still a few weeks before first frost
3. Remove Leaves & Clean Beds
Leaving leaves and debris on your lawn over winter traps moisture and invites disease. Flower beds also need attention before winter — removing annuals and cutting back perennials helps prevent rot and keeps pests from nesting.
Fall cleanups should include:
- Full leaf removal
- Garden bed cutbacks
- Deadheading or pruning where appropriate
- Final edging and debris clearing
4. Prep Plantings for Snow
Delicate shrubs, young trees, and ornamental plants need protection from wind, snow load, and freezing. Burlap wraps, mulch mounding, and proper pruning all help minimize winter stress.
Winter plant protection may include:
- Wrapping evergreens
- Mulching plant bases
- Staking young or top-heavy trees
5. Check Drainage & Gutter Flow
Don’t wait for melting snow or frozen puddles to reveal a drainage problem. October is the time to test where water flows on your property and ensure there’s no risk of pooling or erosion.
Fall drainage checks help you avoid:
- Ice buildup near walkways or foundations
- Flooding in low-lying areas
- Soil washout or root exposure
Secure Your Landscape Before Winter Rolls In
Once the first hard frost hits, it’s too late for most preventative lawn and landscape care. That’s why Cole Landscaping offers fall maintenance plans tailored to your property’s needs. From final lawn treatments to winter-ready plant care, we’ll make sure everything is buttoned up and protected for the months ahead.
Let’s get your landscape winter-ready. Contact Cole Landscaping to schedule your final fall maintenance services today.
