Fall’s Just Around the Corner! 4 Lawn Care Tips to Prepare from Local Norwich Experts

Even though we’re still dealing with some warm days here in Norwich and across Eastern Connecticut, fall is creeping up on us faster than you might think. I recently came across a great video from Green Biz Nursery & Landscaping Inc that got me thinking about how we can better prepare our local lawns for the seasonal transition ahead.

After 41 years in this business and working with over 3,000 customers throughout Eastern Connecticut, I’ve learned that proper fall preparation is what separates the lawns that bounce back strong in spring from those that struggle all season long. As the University of Connecticut soil testing labs’ biggest customer, we’ve seen firsthand how the right fall lawn care makes all the difference in our New England climate.

Understanding Connecticut’s Fall Timeline

Here in Norwich and the surrounding Eastern Connecticut towns, our fall season has its own rhythm. Unlike our friends down south, we typically start feeling that crisp air by late September, with the first frost hitting sometime in mid to late October. This gives us a solid window to get our lawns properly prepared.

What I’ve noticed over the decades is that many homeowners make the mistake of thinking their lawn care season ends when Labor Day passes. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the most important work we do happens between now and when that first hard frost hits.

Keep That Water Flowing

One thing that surprises a lot of my customers is how important watering remains through fall. Just because the temperatures start dropping doesn’t mean your grass stops needing moisture. In fact, this is when your lawn is working overtime to recover from whatever summer stress it endured – whether that was drought, heat, or heavy foot traffic from backyard barbecues.

Here in Eastern Connecticut, we often get those dry spells in early fall that can really set a lawn back. I always tell my customers to keep their irrigation systems running until we get consistent rainfall or until the ground starts to freeze. Your grass is building that root system right now that’s going to carry it through winter and explode with growth come spring.

With our organic-based approach, we’ve seen that lawns with strong root systems going into winter have a 90% better chance of coming back thick and healthy. It’s like giving your lawn a good foundation before the harsh weather hits.

Fall Fertilization: The Norwich Way

Now, this is where our partnership with the University of Connecticut soil testing labs really pays off. We don’t just throw generic fertilizer at every lawn like some companies do. Every single property we service gets a soil test first, because what works in Madison might not be exactly what your Norwich lawn needs.

That said, there are some general principles that work well for our area. Fall fertilization – what we call our “winterizer” application – is typically the most important feeding your lawn gets all year. We use a specialized blend that’s heavy on potassium to help your grass build up those energy reserves it’ll need to survive our Connecticut winters.

What makes our approach different is that we use water-based, organic fertilizers that feed the soil, not just the grass. This builds that soil health over time – something you can’t get from the bag fertilizers you pick up at the big box stores. Our customers consistently tell us their lawns look better year after year, and that’s because we’re building the foundation from the ground up.

Mowing Strategy for Connecticut Lawns

Here’s where I see a lot of homeowners go wrong. They think that because the grass isn’t growing as fast, they can slack off on mowing. Actually, your fall mowing strategy might be the most important of the whole season.

First thing – get those weeds out now. Whatever dandelions, crabgrass, or other weeds made it through summer need to go before they have a chance to set seed for next year. This is why our All-American program includes two broadleaf weed control applications – one in spring and one right about now.

As for the actual mowing, I recommend gradually dropping your cutting height as we get deeper into fall. By your last mow of the season, you want that grass sitting around two inches. This prevents those thick mats of grass that can hold moisture and create perfect conditions for snow mold and other fungal problems we see here in New England.

Dealing with Norwich’s Leaf Situation

Living in Norwich, we’re blessed with some beautiful mature trees – but come October, those blessings turn into a lot of raking! Here’s my take on leaf management: a little bit mixed into your lawn is actually good. When I mow over a light layer of leaves, they chop up and work like a natural fertilizer.

But – and this is important – if you’ve got thick piles of leaves sitting on your grass, they need to go. I’ve seen too many lawns come spring that look like Swiss cheese because leaves smothered the grass all winter long.

What I tell my customers is this: if you can still see grass blades through the leaves, you’re probably okay to mulch them in. If the leaves are thick enough that you can’t see the grass, it’s time to rake.

The Science Behind Our Success

After four decades of doing this work and maintaining relationships with over 3,000 active customers, I can tell you that fall preparation is what separates the okay lawns from the great ones. Our 90% customer retention rate tells me we’re doing something right, and a big part of that is helping people understand that lawn care doesn’t end when summer does.

We’re not just throwing products at your lawn and hoping for the best. Every application we make is backed by soil science, university research, and decades of experience right here in Eastern Connecticut. That’s why we can use fewer applications than our competitors while getting better results – we’re working smarter, not harder.

Getting Your Norwich Lawn Ready

The bottom line is this: the work you do now is going to determine how your lawn looks next April. You can either prepare properly and have neighbors asking what your secret is, or you can skip the fall prep and spend next summer trying to play catch-up.

At American Landscape & Lawn Science, we’ve been helping Norwich families and the broader Eastern Connecticut community maintain beautiful, healthy lawns for over 41 years. Whether you need help with fall fertilization, weed control, or just want someone to take the guesswork out of lawn care, we’re here to help.

Don’t wait until the leaves start falling to think about fall prep. Give us a call today at (860) 642-9966 or book a free estimate on our website, and let’s get your lawn ready for whatever this Connecticut winter throws at us.