How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter in Massachusetts

By Jorge Melo

As temperatures drop and the first frost creeps in, lawns across Massachusetts start their long winter rest. The secret to a healthy, vibrant lawn next spring isn’t luck—it’s preparation. In our 35 years of business, New England Tree & Landscape has seen that lawns given proper winter lawn treatment rebound greener, thicker, and more resilient after the thaw.

The best time to begin lawn winter prep in Massachusetts is from late September through early November, before the ground freezes. During this window, soil is still workable, roots are active, and your turf can absorb nutrients that protect it through cold, salt, and snow mold.

Below, our team shares a proven, Massachusetts-specific process to prepare your lawn for winter—whether you’re a homeowner in Fairhaven or managing commercial properties in Mattapoisett.

How To Winterize Your Massachusetts Lawn

1. Conduct a soil test

Healthy soil is the foundation of every strong lawn. Testing ensures your fertilizer and amendments match your lawn’s actual needs.

How to test your soil

• Collect samples from several lawn areas and mix them.

• Send to the UMass Extension Soil Testing Lab or use a reliable at-home kit.

• Adjust your fertilizer based on nutrient results—most Massachusetts lawns benefit from pH balancing with lime and a late-season potassium boost.

2. Apply fall fertilizer

A quality lawn winterizer provides nutrients your turf stores during dormancy.

Best practices for fall fertilization

• Choose a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer with added potassium for cold resistance.

• Apply in mid- to late-October, roughly two weeks before consistent frost.

• Water lightly after spreading so nutrients reach the root zone.

3. Continue mowing until the first frost

Even as growth slows, mowing keeps grass healthy and prevents fungal issues.

Tips for late-season mowing

• Gradually lower blades each week to a final cut around 2 inches.

• Avoid scalping; cutting too short exposes roots to cold damage.

• Bag final clippings if leaves or debris are present.

4. Aerate your lawn

Core aeration relieves soil compaction caused by summer foot traffic and rainfall.

How to aerate your lawn

• Use a plug-removal (core) aerator on slightly moist soil.

• Focus on compacted or high-traffic zones.

• For best results, overseed and fertilize immediately after aeration to let new seed settle into open plugs.

5. Overseed bare spots

Fall overseeding thickens turf and crowds out spring weeds.

Best practices for overseeding

• Use cool-season grass seed such as fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, ideal for coastal Massachusetts climates.

• Rake lightly to mix seeds into soil.

• Keep the area damp until new grass establishes.

6. Remove leaves and debris

A thick layer of leaves traps moisture and invites mold.

How to manage leaves effectively

• Rake or use a mulching mower weekly.

• Mulched leaves can act as light organic matter—just ensure they don’t smother the grass.

• Include fall cleanups in Fairhaven MA or fall cleanups in Mattapoisett MA as part of your seasonal routine.

7. Control weeds before winter

Weed control tips

• Spot-treat broadleaf weeds with post-emergent herbicide.

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide before soil temperatures drop below 50°F to prevent spring crabgrass.

• Hand-pull persistent weeds to minimize chemical use.

8. Watering before winter

Proper watering schedule

• Water deeply once or twice a week until the ground begins to freeze.

• Aim for about one inch of water weekly, including rainfall.

• Once frost sets in, shut off and drain irrigation systems to avoid freeze damage.

9. Winterize your lawn equipment

Winterizing tips

• Drain or stabilize mower fuel and clean the deck underside.

• Sharpen blades and lightly oil moving parts.

• Store hoses and hand tools indoors to prevent cracking or rust.

10. Protect your lawn from snow mold

Snow mold is common along the South Coast, where lingering snow and coastal humidity create perfect conditions for fungus.

• Mow to proper height before snowfall to reduce matting.

• Avoid over-fertilizing in late fall, which can overstimulate tender growth.

• Keep heavy snow piles distributed evenly to prevent turf suffocation.

How to winterize your lawn in Southeastern MA

What is lawn winterization?

It’s the final nutrient application and maintenance step that prepares turf for freezing weather, salt exposure, and plow damage. Our winter lawn treatment includes fertilization, aeration, debris removal, and snow mold prevention—everything your grass needs to wake up healthy in spring.

If I overseeded my lawn this fall, do I still need winterization?

Yes. Young grass develops shallow roots that need protection. Our lawn winterizer adds potassium to strengthen those roots and improve stress tolerance so new seedlings survive the cold.

Who should I contact?

New England Tree & Landscape provides complete lawn care in Fairhaven MA and lawn care in Mattapoisett MA, including sod installation, sod replacement, and full fall cleanup services. Call (508) 763-8000, email request@newenglandtreeandlandscape.com, or visit www.newenglandtreeandlandscape.com to schedule your complimentary estimate.

Frequently asked questions

How long should my lawn be for winter?

Keep it around 2 inches tall. This prevents matting while protecting roots.

Is October too late to fertilize my lawn?

No—but it’s the cutoff. Apply your final fertilizer before the ground freezes.

Why doesn’t grass die in winter?

Cool-season grasses enter dormancy, conserving energy in their roots until soil

temperatures rise again.

Should I leave grass long or short for winter?

Shorter is better—about 2 inches helps resist snow mold.

Will winter kill lawn fungus?

Cold slows fungal activity but doesn’t kill spores entirely; spring aeration and dethatching help prevent regrowth.

Does New England Tree & Landscape offer commercial lawn care?

Yes, we maintain both residential and commercial properties across Southeastern Massachusetts with year-round service programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About New England Tree & Landscape

How long has New England Tree & Landscape been in business?

We’ve proudly served Southeastern Massachusetts for over 35 years, providing reliable landscaping, lawn care, and snow removal services.

What areas do you serve?

We provide complete lawn care in Fairhaven MA, lawn care in Mattapoisett MA, and service surrounding South Coast communities, including Marion, Rochester, and Dartmouth.

Do you handle both residential and commercial clients?

Yes. From small coastal properties to large commercial sites, we tailor our lawn maintenance and winter services to fit each client’s needs.

Can I schedule both lawn care and snow removal services together?Absolutely. Many of our clients choose a year-round maintenance plan that combines seasonal lawn care, fall cleanup, and snow removal for convenience and cost savings.

Is your company insured and locally owned?

Yes, New England Tree & Landscape is fully insured, family owned, and operated right here on the South Coast.

Seasonal Services: Fall Cleanups and Snow Removal in Southeastern Massachusetts

As winter approaches, lawns aren’t the only thing that need preparation. New England Tree & Landscape also offers full fall cleanups in Fairhaven MA and fall cleanups in Mattapoisett MA to clear leaves, branches, and debris before snow arrives.

Our cleanup crews handle:

• Leaf and debris removal

• Gutter cleaning

• Perimeter edging and mulching

• Rock wall building

• Final mow and property detailing before winter

Once the snow hits, we shift focus to professional snow removal for commercial clients across Southeastern Massachusetts. Our fleet is equipped for:

• Driveway and parking lot plowing

• Walkway clearing and salting

• Ice management and de-icing applications

• 24/7 storm response for businesses and homeowners

Keeping your property safe, accessible, and professional-looking all winter long is part of what makes New England Tree & Landscape a trusted, year-round outdoor maintenance partner.

Conclusion

Don’t let winter undo a year’s worth of care. Protect your investment with professional winter lawn treatment from New England Tree & Landscape. Whether you need fall cleanups in Fairhaven or lawn care in Mattapoisett, our local experts are ready to help your property thrive.

To schedule your seasonal services:

Call (508) 763-8000 

Email request@newenglandtreeandlandscape.com 

Citations

Cook, Roger. “Winter Lawn Prep: A Comprehensive Guide.” This Old House, 8 Oct. 2024.

Ullman, Michelle. “What to Do Now to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter.” Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2025.

Lawn Squad of Southeastern Massachusetts. “How to Winterize Your Southeastern MA Lawn.” 17 Oct. 2025.

The Dedicated House. “How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter in Massachusetts.” 7 Apr. 2025.