Rhode Island winters don't mess around. Between heavy snowfall, ice storms, and months of freezing temperatures, your lawn takes a beating every year. But with the right fall preparation, you can minimize damage and set yourself up for a much easier spring.
Start With a Final Mow
As fall winds down, gradually lower your mowing height on the last few cuts of the season. For your final mow, aim for about 2.5 to 3 inches. This is shorter than your summer height but not so short that you expose the crown of the grass to frost damage.
Cutting too short invites disease. Leaving it too long lets snow mat it down and create a breeding ground for snow mold — a common problem in Rhode Island lawns.
Get the Leaves Off
This is the big one. Rhode Island's hardwoods — oaks, maples, beeches — drop a massive volume of leaves every fall. If you leave them on your lawn over winter, you'll be dealing with:
- Suffocated grass that can't get light or air
- Snow mold and fungal disease from trapped moisture
- Dead patches that take months to recover in spring
A thorough leaf removal before the first lasting snow is one of the best things you can do for your lawn. This includes not just the yard but also cleaning out garden beds and gutters.
Clean Up Garden Beds
Cut back dead perennials, pull annual plants that are done, and add a fresh layer of mulch to protect root systems over winter. Rhode Island's freeze-thaw cycles can heave plants right out of the ground if they're not insulated.
Address Any Bare Spots
Fall is actually the best time to overseed bare or thin patches in Rhode Island. Cool-season grasses like fescue and bluegrass germinate best when soil temperatures are between 50-65°F — which is typically September through mid-October here.
If you've missed that window, you can still do a dormant seeding in late November. The seed sits through winter and germinates first thing in spring.
Clear and Prep for Snow
Before the snow flies, make sure your driveway edges, walkways, and property boundaries are clear. This makes snow plowing more effective and prevents damage to lawn edges and landscape features.
Mark the edges of your driveway and any obstacles with snow stakes so your plow operator can see them.
The Payoff
Properties that get a proper fall cleanup come back stronger and greener in spring. You'll spend less time (and money) fixing winter damage and more time enjoying your yard.
At Four Seasons Lawn Care, we handle fall cleanup and winter prep for properties across Rhode Island. We know what local lawns need — and we do the work so you can enjoy the season.
Call or text (401) 767-0067 to schedule your fall cleanup.
