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School is back in full swing, the dew is returning to the ground, and if we’re honest with ourselves, our lawn probably took a backseat this summer. That’s fine – it’s the PNW; nobody’s skipping a hike because the grass is looking a little dry. But now that we’re into Fall, and Winter will be here before you know it, it’s time to focus on your lawn.
While you can’t stop the rain, you can set your lawn up to handle the wet season better. A little attention now, before the rains come, can make the difference between a lawn that drains well and stays healthy through Winter, and one that turns into a muddy, waterlogged mess by November.
So, what actually matters when it comes to getting your lawn ready for the rainy season? And what can you skip? Let’s break down what most homeowners want to know before the rain really gets going.
Should I Mow and Clean Up Before the Rainy Season?
Yes, and it should be done before you do anything else to your lawn.
Start by clearing off the lawn. Pick up any leaves, branches, or other yard debris that have piled up. And if you have any branches that look like they’re one good wind away from coming down, now’s the time to deal with them. For smaller branches, a tool like the STIHL GTA 40 makes quick work of trimming them back or cutting up the ones that have already hit the ground.
For clearing leaves, you have options, ranging from leaf blowers to good old-fashioned rakes. Leaf blowers like the BR 800 C-E Backpack Blower, BR 800 X Backpack Blower, and BGA 250 Blower make it easier to clear leaves from larger areas, around landscaping, and in places that can be difficult to rake, like rockery walls and along fence lines.
For smaller spaces and more precise cleanup, a rake is still hard to beat. The Corona Big Load leaf rake is a great choice for larger areas, while a Groundskeeper Rake gives you more control in tighter spaces like flower beds.
Once your yard is free of debris, it’s time to mow. Drop your cutting height a notch lower than usual. This sets you up for better seed-to-soil contact when you overseed, and it keeps the lawn from matting down under the weight of Fall moisture. It’s a good idea to collect the clippings instead of leaving them on the lawn. Wet debris sitting on grass can create the kind of conditions that lead to mold and other pest problems over the Winter.
And if you don’t own all the equipment for a Fall cleanup, Carl’s Mower & Saw rents everything from leaf blowers and shredder vacs to lawn mowers so you can get the job done in a weekend.
Do I Need to Dethatch My Lawn?
If your lawn looks matted, feels spongy, or it seems like water isn’t soaking into the soil, it may be time to check for thatch.
Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic material that builds up between the soil and the green grass above it. A thin layer is normal and can actually help protect the soil. But when it gets too thick (about half an inch or more) it can start keeping water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil.
Dethatching is like combing through your lawn. It opens things back up, clears out excess thatch, and gives new seed somewhere to land. It can also help prevent water from pooling instead of soaking into the soil during the rainy season, which can leave your lawn a muddy mess.
For a small area, a manual dethatching rake can get the job done. For larger areas, a power dethatcher can make the work much easier. We have dethatchers available to rent or purchase.
What Is Lawn Aeration and Does My PNW Lawn Need It?
If there’s one Fall lawn task we recommend year after year, it’s aeration. So, what is lawn aeration? It’s the process of removing small plugs of soil from your lawn to relieve compaction and help water, air, and nutrients reach the roots.
Over the course of a mowing season, soil can become compacted, especially in areas that get a lot of foot traffic. When that happens, water can start running off the surface instead of soaking in. You might notice water pooling after a good rain or the soil feeling hard underfoot. Aeration pulls small plugs of soil out of the lawn, loosening things up so air, water, and nutrients can reach the root zone. It can also help your lawn make better use of Fall moisture instead of letting it sit on the surface.
For most homeowners, renting an aerator for a day is plenty, especially if you’re only aerating once or twice a year. Carl’s has aerators available to rent or purchase, and if you’re not sure what you need, stop in. We’ll help you find the right one for your lawn.
An important tip: if your lawn needs to be dethatched, do that first. Once the excess thatch is cleared out, you can aerate to give your lawn a better chance of absorbing fall moisture instead of letting it sit on top.
Should I OverseeD My Lawn in the Fall?
Fall is actually the best time to overseed in the PNW. Cooler temperatures, more consistent moisture, and less competition from weeds give new grass seed a good chance to get established. Once you’ve mowed the lawn short, dethatched if needed, and aerated, you’re ready to seed.
Choose a seed mix that fits your lawn’s specific conditions, including how much sun it gets and your soil type. Broadcast evenly across the lawn, paying extra attention to thin or bare spots. Then rake lightly to press the seed into the soil. You want that seed making good contact with the ground, where it can get the moisture it needs to germinate.
What Fertilizer Should I Use Before Winter?
After a warm, dry summer, your lawn needs a little extra nutrition to build resilience before going dormant. Look for a fertilizer that feeds the grass without pushing a bunch of fast top growth.
For September, PERFECTION®25-0-10 is a good choice. It provides steady nutrition to help strengthen and green up the turf as it recovers from summer stress. In October, switch to PERFECTION® One 2 One, a slow-release fertilizer that gradually feeds the lawn, supports healthy cellular structure, and helps strengthen the grass before winter.
Get Your Lawn Rain-Ready with Carl’s Mower & Saw
My fall honey-do list is already long enough, and somehow, I keep adding to it. There’s plenty more to fall lawn care than we covered here, but if your time is limited, start with the big five: clean up, dethatch, aerate, fertilize, and overseed. Get those done before the rain really settles in, and your lawn will be in much better shape heading into winter.
And if you’re looking at that list thinking, “I don’t own half of this stuff,” that’s where Carl’s Mower & Saw comes in. We’ve got the equipment you need to tackle the job, whether you’re looking to buy or just want to rent something for the weekend. Stop by the store, and we’ll help you get set up.
Want to see exactly what Josh does to his own lawn in September and October? Check out his fall lawn care videos on the Carl’s Mower YouTube channel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Lawn Care in the PNW
When is the best time to aerate a lawn in the Pacific Northwest?
Early Fall, September into October, is the ideal window. The soil is still workable, temperatures have dropped enough to reduce stress on the grass, and aerating now gives the lawn time to recover and absorb nutrients before winter sets in.
Can I overseed and fertilize at the same time?
Yes, and doing them together in the fall is efficient. Aerate first, then overseed, then apply a slow-release fall fertilizer. The aeration holes give both seed and fertilizer a direct path into the soil rather than sitting on the surface.
How do I know if my lawn has a thatch problem?
Pull back a small section of grass and look at the layer between the soil and the green growth. If it’s thicker than about half an inch and feels spongy or matted, it’s worth dethatching before the rainy season. Letting thick thatch go into winter traps moisture and creates ideal conditions for disease.
What’s the difference between a fall fertilizer and a regular fertilizer?
Fall fertilizer is about giving your grass what it needs to head into winter strong. A slow-release fertilizer helps support healthy cellular structure and feeds the lawn without pushing a bunch of fast top growth right before the cold weather hits.
