How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter in Georgetown, Kentucky
As fall winds down in Central Kentucky, the mornings turn crisp, the leaves drop fast, and it’s easy to forget what’s happening underfoot — your lawn is still hard at work. Preparing your grass now ensures it comes back stronger, greener, and healthier when spring returns. At Akers Lawn Care and Landscaping, we help homeowners across Georgetown and the surrounding Bluegrass region protect their lawns before winter hits.
Here’s how you can do the same.
Recently seeded lawn in Georgetown, Kentucky. Photo taken end of October - Akers Lawn Care & Landscaping
1. Keep Mowing — Just a Little Lower
As temperatures cool, you can gradually lower your mowing height for the final cuts of the season. Aim to finish your last mow around 2.5 to 3 inches tall. This prevents matting under snow while keeping enough blade length to protect the crown of the grass. Don’t scalp it — short grass invites weeds and disease when the lawn goes dormant.
2. Aerate and Overseed Before the Ground Freezes
In Central Kentucky, fall aeration and overseeding are critical. Aeration breaks up compacted soil and allows oxygen, nutrients, and water to reach the roots. Pair that with overseeding, and you’ll fill in thin areas so they establish before frost.
If you didn’t get it done in early fall, it’s not too late — the soil in Scott and Fayette counties often stays workable into November.
3. Feed Your Lawn with a Fall Fertilizer
Think of this as your lawn’s last meal before hibernation. A slow-release fertilizer high in potassium helps strengthen root systems for the winter ahead. Skip the nitrogen-heavy blends you’d use in spring — those can cause late-season growth that won’t survive the cold.
4. Clear Out Debris and Fallen Leaves
Leaving a thick layer of leaves on your grass might seem harmless, but it actually traps moisture, blocks sunlight, and promotes mold. A clean, well-raked lawn not only looks better — it breathes better, too. Akers’ crews often combine leaf removal with a final mow to tidy properties heading into the holidays.
Akers Lawn Care & Landscaping
5. Winterize Your Irrigation and Landscape Beds
If you have irrigation lines or decorative plantings, protect them before temperatures dip below freezing. Drain sprinkler systems, add fresh mulch to landscape beds, and wrap delicate shrubs or evergreens where needed. Kentucky’s weather can swing from mild to freezing overnight — preparation makes all the difference.
6. Plan Ahead for Spring Projects
Winter prep is also a good time to think long-term. If you’ve been considering a landscape renovation, new hardscaping, or drainage improvements, now’s the perfect time to get on Akers’ spring schedule before slots fill up.
At Akers Lawn Care and Landscaping, we specialize in seasonal maintenance, fertilization, and landscape care for homeowners throughout Georgetown, Lexington, and Central Kentucky.
We’ll tailor a winter prep plan that fits your property and soil conditions — so when the thaw comes, your lawn is ready to grow.
📞 Contact us today to schedule your winter lawn service or get a free quote.