Fall Yard Checklist for Charlotte Homeowners

Tall fescue is a cool-season grass. While bermuda and zoysia lawns are going tan for the winter, fescue is putting down the roots it will live on next summer. Here’s the checklist, in the order it usually comes up.

1. Keep mowing, but leave it taller

NC State Extension recommends mowing fescue at 2½ to 3 inches through the fall. Taller grass builds deeper roots before winter and shades out weeds. A light layer of leaves can be mulched right back into the lawn with the mower.

2. Seed and aerate, if you haven’t yet

NC State’s recommended window for seeding tall fescue in the Charlotte area is September 1 to October 1. If you’re just getting to it now, seed as soon as you can. Every week later gives new grass less time to root before cold weather.

Our red clay packs down hard. Core aeration (pulling small plugs of soil) lets water, air and seed reach the roots. Leave the plugs on the lawn to break down.

3. Don’t let the leaves sit

The big leaf drop runs from late October through November. A thick, wet layer of leaves blocks light and smothers fescue, and new seed suffers first. Rake or blow them off every week or two while they’re falling.

4. Clean the gutters after the drop

Clogged gutters overflow against the siding and fascia and dump water next to your foundation. The best time to clean them is after most of the leaves are down, usually late November into December. Homes under big oaks or pines often need a second cleaning.

5. Fertilize fescue in November

NC State’s fescue calendar calls for fertilizer in mid-September and again in November. The November feeding helps roots store energy for winter and green up early in spring.

One exception: if your lawn is bermuda or zoysia (the grasses that turn tan in winter), skip the fall fertilizer. Those grasses are going dormant and feed in summer.

6. Refresh pine straw and mulch

A fresh 2–3 inch layer of pine straw or mulch insulates roots through cold snaps and keeps beds looking sharp for the holidays. Keep it pulled back a few inches from tree trunks and the siding.

7. Haul off the junk pile

Almost every yard has one: the old swing set, a rotted bench, broken pavers, the pile behind the shed. Fall is the time to deal with it, before it disappears under leaves.

If you have city garbage service, larger items can go out as a bulky item pickup, but you need to schedule it through 311 first. The city won’t take tree stumps, logs over 4 inches, construction debris or tires, and you have to get everything to the curb yourself.

8. Wash the deck and siding before it gets cold

Summer pollen and mildew are easiest to remove before winter sets them in. If you plan to stain or seal the deck, do it soon. Most stains need dry days and mild temperatures (check the label, usually 50°F or warmer).

9. Shut off outdoor water before the first freeze

Disconnect hoses, drain them and cover outdoor faucets before the first hard freeze, which usually comes in November. If you have irrigation, have it shut down and drained. A split pipe in January costs far more than ten minutes now.

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