Early autumn is the honest season for turf in northern Illinois: the nights cool off, the rain comes back, and grass puts its effort into roots instead of blades. Nicolaz and Son Lawn Care uses that window — aeration and overseeding across West Deerfield Township lawns, a feeding to carry them into winter, mowing kept up while the growth lasts. Then come the leaves, which around here means weekly work from the first yellow maple until the oaks finally quit in November. The remainder of the year is the weekly cut, trimmed close and edged along the walks and drives, with mulch laid in once spring opens up. Lawns that get that attention in October are the ones that come up thick in May.