As August winds down and the days begin to cool, it’s the perfect opportunity to shift your focus from summer maintenance to fall preparation. These late summer landscaping tips will help Omaha homeowners get ahead of the fall season, ensuring their lawns, plants, and soil are healthy and ready for the changing weather.

While it may seem like the growing season is coming to an end, this time of year is one of the most important for yard care. Taking the right steps now helps your lawn develop strong root systems, improve the soil with organic matter, and stay healthy through the winter months and into early spring.

Late Summer Landscaping Tips to Prep Your Omaha Yard for Fall

Strengthen Your Lawn This Late Summer

For Omaha homeowners, late summer through early fall is the perfect time to focus on lawn recovery and growth. Lawns with cool-season grass perform better in cooler weather, making this window ideal for repair and revitalization.

Start with a few targeted lawn care tips that boost soil health and support deeper root systems:

• Mow slightly lower than usual to prevent leaf buildup
• Aerate compacted soil to enhance circulation and nutrient absorption
• Apply a slow-release fertilizer to provide consistent feeding during the fall season
• Reseed bare patches with cool-season grass for stronger coverage
• Update irrigation systems to reflect reduced watering needs

By following these smart lawn care tips, you give your yard the water and nutrients it needs to bounce back from summer stress. A healthy lawn going into fall is better prepared for the winter months and will return stronger in early spring.

Trees and Shrubs: Get Them Ready for Fall

Healthy trees and shrubs are a vital part of your landscape, and late summer is the time to check their overall condition. Look for broken branches, signs of disease, or pests. Prune as needed so plants can heal before temperatures drop.

Applying a layer of mulch around the base of trees and larger plants insulates the soil, retains moisture, and regulates temperature. Use mulch that contains organic matter, which naturally decomposes and enriches the soil throughout the fall season.

This helps protect plant roots during the winter months, keeps weeds under control, and maintains a neat appearance across your landscape.

Late Summer Landscaping Tips for Smarter Fall Irrigation

As the season shifts, so should your watering strategy. Updating your irrigation systems now is an important step that can help conserve water and keep your lawn healthy.

Less evaporation in the cooler weather means you’ll likely need to water less frequently. Test sprinkler zones to ensure they’re providing even coverage, and fix any leaks, clogs, or inefficiencies. The right adjustments help deliver essential water and nutrients to your plants without overdoing it.

Efficient irrigation supports root health and prevents excess moisture that could lead to fungus or rot as leaves begin to fall and decompose.

Soil Health and Pest Control

One of the most overlooked steps in fall prep is improving your soil. Incorporating organic matter, like compost, into garden beds and lawn areas enhances structure and microbial activity. This gives plants and grass the nutritional support they need through dormancy and early regrowth in spring.

This is also a great time to check for insects or other issues that could become a problem as the weather cools. Fall is a critical period for pest control, since many pests begin searching for shelter in gardens and lawns. Reducing populations now helps avoid infestations come spring.

Plant and Refresh Before Fall Sets In

For many perennials, fall is the best time to plant. The soil stays warm long after the air cools, creating an ideal environment for new root systems to develop. Lower temperatures reduce stress on plants, allowing them to focus energy on establishing strong roots rather than leaf or flower production.

Consider adding trees and shrubs during this window. They’ll have time to settle in before the winter months and will be more resilient by early spring.

This season also offers a great time to plant cool-season grass varieties, which grow best when daytime temperatures hover between 60 to 75 degrees. Seeding now allows time for germination and deep rooting before the first frost.

In addition to planting, this time of year is perfect for refreshing garden beds and making outdoor upgrades. Cool weather and reduced weed growth make it easier to complete landscape projects without the challenges of midsummer heat. Take advantage of this calmer stretch to:

• Install or repair garden edging for cleaner lines
• Build or replenish a compost pile using fallen leaves and organic matter
• Redesign garden layouts with low-maintenance perennials
• Add a layer of mulch to insulate the soil and suppress weeds

Early Spring Success Begins with Fall Prep

It’s easy to forget that the work you do now will determine how your yard looks in early spring. Supporting strong root systems, using lawn fertilizer, and managing pests in advance will prepare your lawn to grow back healthier when temperatures rise.

Simple steps like applying a layer of mulch or feeding your cool-season grass can protect your landscape through the winter months and encourage faster recovery in spring.

Prep Your Omaha Yard for Fall with These Must-Do Late Summer Landscaping Tips

Following these late summer landscaping tips helps Omaha homeowners protect their landscapes and prepare for the changing season. Whether you are adjusting irrigation systems, applying slow-release fertilizer, or improving soil with organic matter, each step plays an important role. The late summer season is ideal for giving your yard the care it needs to stay healthy and vibrant.

Start now and enjoy a stronger, more beautiful landscape through fall and into early spring.

Arbor Hills Landscaping Company Omaha | Best Landscaping Company in Omaha, NE

Arbor Hills Trees & Landscaping Services can provide you with everything from detailed maintenance programs to unique plant production and other services in between. That means we build water features, walls, patios, irrigation, walkways, outdoor kitchens, lighting, and anything else you can help us dream up. Our professionally trained staff can build the landscape of your dreams and keep you from breaking any Home Landscaping Rules. Contact us today.