How to Winterize Your Lawn in Libertyville and Mundelein
Fall steps that protect Libertyville and Mundelein lawns through a hard Illinois winter and set up a fast green spring.
What you do in October and November decides how your lawn looks next April. Winters in Libertyville and Mundelein are long and hard on turf, so a little prep in fall goes a long way. The goal is to send the grass into dormancy strong and stocked with energy in the roots.
Keep mowing, then lower the last cut
Do not stop mowing too early. Keep going until the grass truly stops growing, usually well into November here. For the final mow of the year, drop the height a little, to around two and a half inches. Shorter grass going into winter is less likely to mat down and develop snow mold under the snow.
Related readingHow to judge the final mow of the seasonFall is the best time for several jobs
- Aerate compacted soil so roots get air and water before the freeze.
- Overseed thin and bare areas while soil is still warm and nights are cool.
- Apply a late fall feeding so the roots store energy for a strong spring greenup.
- Rake or mulch leaves so they do not smother the lawn all winter.
- Cut back perennials and clean out beds so pests do not overwinter in the debris.
- Disconnect hoses and blow out irrigation lines before the first hard freeze.
The late fall feeding is the one to not skip
Applied after top growth has stopped but while the soil is still unfrozen, usually late October into November, this application is banked directly in the roots and crown rather than spent on blades. It is the single highest return fertilizer application of the year and it is the one most homeowners never make.
Plan around salt
One more thing that matters here in Lake County: be mindful of where salt and snow pile up. Grass and shrubs along driveways and walkways take a beating from de icing salt, so plan for a little repair and reseeding in those spots come spring. Where you can, stake burlap screens in front of evergreens that sit right along the plow line.
Related readingChoosing an ice melt that is easier on plants and concreteFall cleanup and winter prep is one of our busiest services because it is so worth doing right. If you want your lawn buttoned up before the snow flies, call or text 224-634-0673 or 224-200-8363 for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I stop mowing my lawn in Illinois?
- When growth genuinely stops, which is often into early or mid November in Lake County rather than October. Keep mowing as long as the grass is growing, and take the last cut slightly shorter, around two and a half inches.
- What is the best fall fertilizer timing in northern Illinois?
- Late October into November, after top growth has stopped but while the ground is still unfrozen. The grass banks that nitrogen in its roots over winter and uses it for an early, deep green spring greenup.
- Should I cut my grass short before winter?
- Slightly shorter for the final mow only, around two and a half inches. Long grass mats under snow and encourages snow mold, but scalping the lawn exposes crowns to cold and desiccation. A modest reduction on the last cut is the balance.
- Do I need to water my lawn in the fall?
- Yes, until the ground freezes. Fall is often dry in Lake County and grass is actively growing roots. Continue about an inch per week through October, then disconnect hoses and blow out irrigation before the first hard freeze.
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Ruiz Landscaping serves Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove and the rest of Vernon Hills's surrounding North Shore and Lake County communities.