Fresh Cut Pros Blog

  End-of-Season Lawn Care: Last Mows and Prepping for the Final Stretch in the Chicago Suburbs As October draws to a close and the temperatures drop in places like Joliet and the surrounding Chicago suburbs, it’s easy to think lawn care is behind us. But don’t store your mower just yet—there’s still some important work to be done. These last few weeks before winter are crucial for keeping your lawn in top shape and setting the stage for a healthy, green start in the spring. Whether you’re in Joliet or anywhere in the Chicago suburbs, taking care of your lawn equipment and prepping your yard before winter can make all the difference come spring. 1. Keep Mowing (But Not Too Short) While the growing season is slowing down, your grass still needs attention. Continue mowing until the grass stops growing, but keep the height at about 2.5 to 3 inches. Cutting it too short can expose the roots to cold temperatures, while letting it grow too long can lead to matting under winter snow, causi...

Understanding Our Fertilization & Weed Control Program: Why Every Application Matters   At Fresh Cut, we believe in a comprehensive approach to lawn care. Our fertilization and weed control program is designed to work together across multiple applications throughout the year. While some rounds focus on soil health, others target weeds directly—but each one is vital to achieving long-term results. It’s important to know that no single application will dramatically transform your lawn, but working through the program over time will lead to a healthier, greener lawn.     There's No Wrong Time to Start   Ideally, starting with Round 1 in the spring sets your lawn up for success, but there’s no wrong time to begin the program. For example, If you call in June, your first application will be “ Round 3 or 4 ” , depending on the season. The numbers are just for us to track each application. What matters most is that you get started now, no matter what month it is...

Introduction: Why Late Fall Lawn Care Matters As temperatures drop and winter approaches, it might seem like lawn care season is over. But taking a few final steps in late fall can set your lawn up for success next spring.  Many homeowners think they can wait until spring to start caring for their lawn, but beginning in the fall gives your grass a major head start. The cool weather allows grass roots to grow deeper, without the stress of summer heat. Fertilizing and aerating now helps strengthen the root system, which is critical for enduring the winter and thriving in spring. By the time spring arrives, your lawn will already have a solid foundation, meaning it will green up faster and be more resistant to weeds and diseases. Waiting until spring to start these tasks means you're already behind, and your lawn will take longer to recover. Here's what you can still do in October to protect your lawn before winter hits. 1. Final Mowing and Grass Height Last Mow : Adjust your mowe...

When Can I Aerate My Lawn? (Why Fall Is Best and Why Late Aeration Is Still Worth It) Why Fall Aeration Is Best It’s no secret that fall is the best time to aerate your lawn. Although spring aeration can help kickstart growth, it doesn’t align well with overseeding if you’re using a pre-emergent herbicide. Pre-emergents, designed to prevent weeds, can interfere with new grass seed germination. That’s why, at Fresh Cut, we skip spring aeration in our programs to focus on applying pre-emergents to help control weeds during the summer. When to Overseed and Aerate in Fall For us, the best time to aerate and overseed is in early to mid-fall, once average daily temperatures drop out of the 80s. This usually means any time from September through the end of October. If I had to pinpoint an optimal time frame, I’d say the last two weeks of September through the first two weeks of October. However, the actual timing can vary based on weather conditions. For example, this year we had a drought an...

How to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Lawn in Minooka: A Complete Guide Weeds are a common problem in lawns, and while several factors can contribute to their presence, the most frequent cause is thin or weak grass . The key to eliminating weeds is to focus on strengthening your lawn, so weeds struggle to find space to grow. A Holistic Approach to Weed Control We take a holistic approach to lawn care . While diagnosing every single cause of weeds—such as nearby empty lots, compacted soil, or nutrient deficiencies—can be time-consuming, our strategy focuses on improving overall lawn health. The simplest and most effective question to ask is: How can I make my grass thicker? When to Start Tackling Weeds in Your Lawn The best time to start eliminating weeds depends on the season and how quickly you want to see results. For fast results, you can choose to re-sod your lawn. In as little as a weekend for a homeowner, or a day with a professional company, you can replace your lawn with fresh sod....