Fall is a good time to test soil and add amendments because it gives soil enough time to absorb materials by spring, when plants need them. Test your soil; the results will tell you the type of fertilizer or soil amendments your grass needs. To increase organic matter, add manure, compost and mulched leaves. You’ll find soil test kits and all the amendments you need in-store. For additional solutions to keep your lawn in tip-top shape, read Determining a Problem on Your Lawn.

If you live in the South, avoid fertilizing warm-season grasses in late fall since it could interfere with the hardening-off process that these varieties go through entering dormancy. If you live in the North, fertilize your lawn before the ground freezes so food is available in early spring. Look for a quick-release “winterizing” fall fertilizer with insect control such as Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Fertilizer, available at The Home Depot. For step-by-step instructions, read How to Fertilize.

Apply a selective herbicide from Ortho, which is designed to kill a wide range of common weeds with just one application, available at The Home Depot. Early fall is the best time to control winter annual and perennial weeds.

This is a good time in the South to overseed with annual winter ryegrass so you can enjoy a green lawn through the cooler season instead of a dormant brown lawn. Annual winter ryegrass will die back when summer’s heat returns, turning the lawn over once again to the warm-season grasses. Overseed now in Northern regions with cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescue to fix bare patches. You’ll find the right grass seeds for your region from brands such as Scotts at The Home Depot. For best results, read Choosing the Right Grass for Your Lawn to use the right grass for your soil and weather conditions.

Dethatch your lawn by raking to get rid of grass clippings, stems, roots and other debris that accumulate over time. Thatch can become a home for hostile insects and a breeding ground for lawn diseases (this is a good time to check for both). If your lawn is very compacted, soil will be heavy and may have become less able to absorb rainfall, thus increasing runoff. You may need to aerate by perforating it with tiny holes to allow for greater movement of water, fertilizer and air. This will stimulate strong roots and healthy growth.

Continue to mow your lawn as long as it keeps growing. Lower the blade height to keep the grass short and help prevent fall diseases and winter snow mold. Never remove more than one-third of the height at any one mowing. For recommended mowing heights for specific grass varieties, read Know How Often and How Much to Mow. To prepare garden beds for next spring, begin edging now.

Keep watering until the ground freezes. Make sure that your lawn receives enough water to carry it through the long winter. If you live in the South, keep watering at least every few weeks for 15–20 minutes to counteract the drying effect of winter winds.

Do a final cleanup with a leaf blower or rake. Leaves, sticks, rocks and other late-season leftovers can harm next year’s lawn and harbor pests and diseases over the winter. Either rake the leaves and add them to your compost pile or go over them with a mulching mower.