Fall Lawn Cleanup
Fall Lawn Care Tips: Leaf Cleanup and Proper Mowing Height
As autumn settles in and the leaves begin to fall, your lawn needs a little extra attention to stay healthy through winter and into next spring. While it can be tempting to let fallen leaves pile up or skip the last mow of the season, proper fall lawn care plays a big role in keeping your grass lush and vibrant year after year.
Here’s what to keep in mind when managing leaves and mowing your lawn this fall.
Should You Mulch or Rake Leaves?
When leaves are dry and crisp—as they often are in early to mid-October—mulching can be an excellent option. Running a mulching mower over a light layer of leaves helps return valuable organic matter to the soil. Just be sure to mulch regularly rather than waiting until all the leaves have fallen. Trying to mulch a thick, wet layer of leaves later in the season can clog your mower and smother your grass.
If the leaves become soggy after rain or you’ve fallen behind on cleanup, it’s best to rake or use a bagging mower to remove them. Collected leaves can be added to your compost pile and, once broken down, used to enrich your flower beds the following year. This simple cycle helps you create natural fertilizer while keeping your property looking tidy.
When and Why Leaf Cleanup Matters
Beyond appearances, removing leaves is important for your lawn’s health. Wet, matted leaves can block sunlight and airflow, encouraging mold and fungus to develop. In particular, if you notice black spots on your leaves—a common sign of fungal infection—it’s best not to compost them. These infected leaves can reintroduce disease to your trees and shrubs next year. Instead, bag them and take them to your local yard waste depot or landfill.
Even if you miss your window before the first snowfall, it’s still worth cleaning up leaves once the snow melts again. A quick mid-winter cleanup helps prevent mold and keeps your grass from suffocating under layers of decaying leaves.
How Short to Cut Your Lawn in the Fall
Most lawns in Ontario can be cut until late October, depending on weather conditions. Throughout the growing season, aim to maintain a mowing height of about 3 to 3½ inches. For the final one or two cuts of the year, gradually lower the blade to about 2 to 2½ inches.
Keeping your grass a little shorter before winter prevents it from folding over under snow, which can create damp conditions ideal for mice and other small rodents to nest. It also helps improve air circulation around the crown of the grass, reducing the risk of disease and snow mold.
A Simple Fall Lawn Care Checklist
- ✅ Mulch light layers of dry leaves regularly, or rake and compost thicker layers
- 🚫 Bag and dispose of any leaves with black spots or fungal growth
- ✂️ Lower your mower height slightly for the final cuts of the season
- 🧹 Keep lawns clear of debris before the first snowfall
- 🌱 Compost healthy leaves for use in next year’s gardens and flower beds
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Lawn Care in Ontario
Can I leave leaves on my lawn over winter?
Leaving a few mulched leaves is fine, but a thick layer can smother your grass and encourage mold growth. Always make sure leaves are dry and finely shredded if you plan to mulch them into your lawn.
When should I stop mowing my lawn in Ontario?
Most homeowners can stop mowing around the end of October, once grass growth slows due to cooler temperatures. If the weather stays mild, continue mowing as needed until the grass stops growing.
What’s the best height to cut grass before winter?
Aim for around 2 to 2½ inches for your final mow. Shorter grass helps prevent matting, reduces the risk of snow mold, and discourages mice and voles from nesting in your lawn.
Should I compost leaves with black spots or fungus?
No. Leaves with black spots are likely infected with fungus and can spread disease to your plants next year. These should be bagged and taken to a local composting facility or yard waste site instead.
Is it too late to clean up leaves after the first snow?
Not necessarily. If the snow melts and you can access your lawn again, removing leftover leaves can still make a difference. It improves airflow, prevents mold, and helps your lawn green up faster in spring.
Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring
By keeping up with leaf cleanup and adjusting your mowing height this fall, you’ll set your lawn up for a healthier, greener spring. If you’d like help with seasonal cleanup or lawn maintenance, the A Touch of Dutch Landscaping team in Stratford, Ontario, is here to help you make the most of your outdoor space—season after season.
Seeding involves planting grass seed directly into the soil and allowing it to grow and establish over time. Here are some advantages of seeding:
Sodding involves laying down pre-grown grass turf, complete with roots and soil, onto prepared soil. Here are some advantages of sodding:
Japanese beetles were introduced from Japan in the early 20th century and have since made themselves at home in Southwestern Ontario. These beetles have a metallic green color with copper-colored wings and are often found munching on the leaves of roses, grapes, and fruit trees.
Aphids are native to North America and thrive in our temperate climate, reproducing rapidly and infesting a wide range of plants. This makes Aphids one of the most common among the common lawn and garden pests in our region. Look for clusters of small, green, pear-shaped insects on plant stems and new growth of various garden plants, including roses, vegetables, and fruit trees.
Native to Asia, emerald ash borers arrived in North America in the early 2000s and have devastated ash tree populations. Look for D-shaped exit holes in ash tree bark, canopy dieback, and S-shaped larval galleries under the bark.
Spider mites are native to North America and thrive in warm, dry conditions, rapidly infesting plants. Look for fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and stippling or discoloration on foliage of garden plants, including tomatoes, beans, and ornamentals.
These soil-dwelling larvae are the immature stage of beetles like Japanese beetles, and they primarily feed on grass roots. Look for patches of dead or dying grass, which may indicate white grub infestation.
Cutworms are native to North America and are nocturnal pests that feed on young seedlings at or below ground level. Look for seedlings that have been cut off at the base.
Slugs and snails are native to the region and are nocturnal pests that feed on plant foliage and tender shoots of a range of garden plants. Follow slime trails and look for irregular holes in leaves.
Cabbage worms are native to North America and are the larval stage of small white butterflies. As their name implies, they feed on brassica crops. Look for green caterpillars on cabbage family plants (cabbage, broccoli, kale), causing chewing damage to leaves.
Thrips are native insects that feed on the sap of garden plants, including roses, onions, and peppers. They can transmit diseases to a wide range of plants. Look for tiny, slender insects and silvery patches on leaves.
Scale insects are native to North America and can weaken or kill plants by feeding on sap and excreting honeydew of ornamental and fruit-bearing trees. Look for small, immobile insects on stems and leaves, often surrounded by a protective shell.
Investing in quality lawn care equipment is essential to achieve professional results. A sturdy lawnmower with sharp blades is a must. Whether you prefer a traditional gas-powered mower or an eco-friendly electric one, make sure it suits the size and terrain of your lawn. Additionally, consider acquiring a string trimmer, also known as an edger, for detailing and reaching areas that the lawnmower can’t easily access.
Dull mower blades tear the grass rather than cutting it cleanly. This can lead to a brownish, uneven appearance on the lawn’s surface. Regularly sharpen your lawnmower blades to ensure a precise and neat cut, enhancing the overall aesthetics of your lawn. A few times a year, you can use mulching blades on your mower. These blades will chop or cut the clippings in smaller pieces to make it easier for them to decompose.
Keeping rodent pests like raccoons and skunks out of your backyard can sometimes be a difficult task, but with the right landscaping strategies you can discourage them from visiting. Strategies include lawn maintenance, careful selection of plants, trees, and shrubs, and adding hardscaping to block or discourage entry into your outdoor space. Read on for more details.
Reduce or eliminate food sources that may be attracting unwanted wildlife to your property. This includes pet food dishes, bird feeders, fruit bearing trees and shrubs, and unsecured garbage cans. Rabbits and mice like to feed on the bark of younger shrubs and trees. To prevent this, install a guard or fabric around the trunks of younger shrubs/trees during the winter months to prevent this from happening.
