Fall in Concord moves fast. According to the National Weather Service’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Concord, the average first fall freeze arrives around October 3. NOAA’s daily records from Concord Municipal Airport put the median date of the first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) at around November 20 for the same 30-year period, with the first inch-or-more snowfall arriving around December 1. Early snow does happen: the earliest measurable snow in that record came on October 10, 1979. So for most of central New Hampshire, the fall cleanup window runs from early October to mid-November. Here’s what to do before the snow shows up, based on UNH Cooperative Extension guidance.
When to Do Fall Cleanup in Concord, NH
A simple way to think about the timing:
- Early to mid-October: Keep mowing, start pulling leaves off the lawn, and keep watering trees and shrubs.
- Late October to early November: Do the main leaf cleanup, cut back perennials, mulch shrubs and new plantings, and set up winter protection for evergreens.
- Before mid-November: Do your last mow and a final leaf pass, put away hoses, and mark driveway and walkway edges for the plow.
Watch the forecast, not just the calendar. The goal: no matted grass or heavy leaf piles on the lawn when the first lasting snow comes.
1. Keep Mowing, Then Make the Last Cut Count
UNH Extension recommends that you keep mowing at 2.5 to 3 inches until the grass stops growing in late fall. Grass left longer than 3 inches at the end of the season can get matted under the snow, which makes it more prone to diseases like snow mold. For the final mow you can drop the deck a little, but UNH’s horticulture team cautions against going below about 2 to 2.5 inches. Growth slows sharply once the soil cools below 40°F, so that’s your cue that the season is wrapping up. For more mowing basics, our summer lawn mowing checklist is a good refresher.
2. Get the Leaves Off the Lawn (but Not Necessarily Out of the Beds)
This is the big one. UNH Extension is clear: if you want a healthy lawn under your trees, remove as many leaves as you can before winter. A heavy layer of leaves can smother the grass. Leaves left on the lawn can also promote snow mold, which can do serious damage to turf over the winter and into early spring. UNH’s lawn guide says snow mold does best when early snow falls on unfrozen ground and stays all winter, and that thick layers of fallen leaves create the moist conditions it favors. Practical tips:
- Mulch-mow light leaf cover. Running the mower over leaves a few times shreds them into small pieces that break down into the lawn. UNH says to do it several times through the season, before a thick layer builds up.
- Rake or blow heavy layers. Once leaves pile up, it’s much easier to just remove them.
- Use leaves in your beds. UNH says leaves left in garden beds work as mulch and give shelter to overwintering pollinators. Extra leaves can go around the base of broadleaf evergreens like rhododendrons.
- Clean up under sick trees. If your trees had problems like maple anthracnose or apple scab, UNH recommends raking up and disposing of those fallen leaves, because these diseases overwinter in them.
Leaf removal and fall cleanups are part of our landscaping services if your yard has more leaves than weekends.
3. Fertilizer: The Window Has Mostly Closed
UNH Extension recommends finishing fall lawn fertilizer applications before September 15 in northern New Hampshire and by October 1 in southern New Hampshire. UNH also lists late, heavy nitrogen applications as something to avoid if you want to prevent snow mold. Lime is different: UNH notes you can still apply it late in the season if a soil test shows low pH, and the UNH soil testing lab can give you lime and fertilizer recommendations. In New Hampshire, don’t apply fertilizer within 25 feet of water bodies.
4. Cut Back Perennials Selectively
You don’t have to cut everything to the ground. UNH Extension suggests:
- Remove diseased foliage now. Bee balm and garden phlox often get powdery mildew late in the season. Pull out that infected material, and don’t compost it, because most backyard piles don’t get hot enough to kill the fungus.
- Cut back plants with little winter value. Iris, daylilies, hosta, astilbe, peony, yarrow and garden phlox can be cut back in fall to save time in spring.
- Leave healthy seed heads and ornamental grasses. They feed finches, chickadees and juncos, shelter beneficial insects, and look good sticking up out of the snow. Cut them back in spring before new growth starts.
5. Water Trees and Shrubs Until the Ground Freezes
UNH Extension says that in fall, roots keep developing until the soil drops below 40°F. To help them, water thoroughly enough to moisten the soil 8 to 10 inches deep at least once a week, continuing until freezing temperatures arrive, especially if autumn rains have been light. Evergreens need this most. They keep losing water through their leaves all winter, and once the ground freezes they can’t replace it, which causes the browned needles and leaves you see in late winter and spring. UNH’s other winter-protection tips:
- Mulch the root zone with about 2 inches of wood chips or straw to insulate the soil and reduce freeze-thaw heaving. Keep it off the trunks.
- Put up burlap windbreaks on the side of the plant that faces the prevailing wind.
- Protect shrubs under the eaves with wooden frames so sliding roof snow doesn’t crush them.
- Hold off on pruning needle evergreens in late fall.
6. Get the Property Ready for Snow and Plows
A few last chores:
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses and store them before the first hard freeze.
- Stake driveway edges, walkways and bed edges while you can still push stakes into the ground, so plow drivers (and you, with the snowblower) know where the pavement ends.
- Walk your hardscapes. Note any spots where water puddles or pavers or wall blocks have shifted around patios, walkways and retaining walls, so they’re on the list for spring repairs.
- Line up snow removal before the first storm. If you manage a parking lot, business, HOA or condo community, get on a plowing schedule now. Our commercial snow removal service covers plowing, salting and sidewalk clearing in Concord and nearby towns.
Let Globe Green Handle Your Fall Cleanup
If you’d rather spend fall weekends doing something other than raking, Globe Green LLC can help. We’re based at 90 Airport Rd in Concord, and we do fall cleanups, leaf removal and bed prep for properties across the Concord area. We can also get you on our snow plowing list before the first storm. Contact us online or call (603) 420-7771 to get on the schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I do fall cleanup in Concord, NH?
Plan on early October through mid-November. Concord’s average first fall freeze is around October 3 (NWS 1991–2020 normals), and the median first measurable snow at Concord Municipal Airport is around November 20, so aim to have leaves off the lawn before then.
How short should I cut my lawn for the last mow of the season?
UNH Cooperative Extension recommends mowing at 2.5 to 3 inches until the grass stops growing in late fall. You can cut the final mow slightly lower, but not below about 2 to 2.5 inches. Grass left longer than 3 inches can mat under snow and be more prone to snow mold.
Do I really need to rake leaves before winter in New Hampshire?
If you want a healthy lawn, yes. UNH Extension says heavy leaf layers can smother grass and promote snow mold. Light leaf cover can be mulch-mowed into the lawn, and leaves can stay in garden beds as mulch.
Is it too late to fertilize my lawn in October?
For most lawns in southern New Hampshire, yes. UNH Extension recommends finishing fall fertilizer by October 1 in southern NH and by September 15 in northern NH, and avoiding late, heavy nitrogen. You can still apply lime if a soil test shows low pH.
Should I water trees and shrubs in the fall?
Yes, especially evergreens. UNH Extension recommends watering enough to moisten the soil 8 to 10 inches deep at least once a week until freezing temperatures arrive.
Should I cut back perennials in the fall or wait until spring?
Do some of each. Remove diseased foliage and cut back plants like hosta, daylilies and peonies in fall, but UNH Extension suggests leaving healthy seed heads and ornamental grasses standing for birds and winter interest, then cutting them back in spring.