Fall Organic Turf Care: 10 Essential Tips for Healthy Lawns

It’s mid-September, and winter may feel distant, but it’s closer than you think. That makes now the perfect time to finish your landscaping season strong and well prepared. Here are our top 10 organic turf care tips for fall, designed to set your lawn up for success.

1. Apply PJC ProHealthy Turf Products  

If this is your final fertilizer or soil amendment application for the season, you’re on track. Fall fertilization helps boost leaf blade development, nurture a healthy root system, and feed the soil biome. Try our PJC Boost+S3! This product was designed specially for fall, as chelated iron helps ‘harden’ off turf before the winter. The added BOOST comes from the gypsum and humates, which improve soil structure and add soil nutrients!  

2. Fall Overseeding

Whether you aerate and overseed or slice-seed, fall is one of the best seasons for seeding. In New England, avoid seeding after October 15. If summer-like weather lingers, you might still squeeze in one more round. For more guidance, explore our Grass Seed for Fall blog for detailed recommendations.

3. Repair and Regrade  

A safe surface is a level one. Field traffic, weather, or water can damage turf. Be proactive: top-dress, repair, and regrade affected areas now. Small issues left untreated can become big problems later.

4. Adjust Your Watering Schedule  

Transition your irrigation to a weekly, long watering cycle—nature and cool fall temps will help do the rest. Follow our 1-2-3-2-1 watering recommendations for best results. You can also monitor rainfall using the U.S. Drought Monitor.

5. Mulch Your Leaves  

Raking and bagging strips valuable nutrients and organic matter from your lawn AND adds labor. Instead, mulch your leaves: keep the mower deck high, mow slowly, and chop leaves finely until they’re gone. Your soil biome will thank you.

6. Lower Your Mowing Height  

We recommend mowing high in May through July but, as winter approaches, lower the mowing height. Reduce from about 3¼″ to roughly 2½″ for your final two mows, once all leaves have dropped.

7. Perform an Irrigation Blowout  

Inspect and repair your irrigation system before performing a proper blowout. These systems are critical for maintaining organic turf, and you want to avoid freeze damage before soil temps fall in early December.

8. Use Winter Turf Blankets  

For PJC High Performance turf, winter turf blankets are a must. They protect high-traffic zones—like goal mouths and midfield—and encourage earlier green-up in spring. See how turf blankets can give you a head start on the season…

9. Consider Dormant Seeding  

If you have leftover seed, now’s the time to apply it. Dormant seeding, when soil and air temperatures are thoroughly cold, places seed without risking early germination (unless you’re using turf blankets). Plan for December or February for best results.

10. Take a Well-Deserved Break  

Landscaping is demanding work—so remember to recharge after a busy season.

Need help or inspiration for your organic turf goals? Contact us anytime, and check our blog frequently for seasonal turf insights.