Fall is a time for hearty meals and pumpkin spiced lattes! It’s also time to get your yard ready for winter. Taking the right precautions now will save you time and energy when spring arrives, and keep you and your family safe in the yard all year long. Following our checklist of fall cleanup musts will help you get the most out of your yard next year.
1. Get rid of debris
It is easy for pests to nest in fallen leaves and weeds during the winter months. Keep critters away from flower beds by clearing them out. The foliage of rose beds can facilitate disease over the winter, so be sure to take special care of them.
2. Clean up the vegetable garden
After the final harvest, pull out old vegetable plants and remove debris. If you compost, now is the time to add a layer of compost to help nurture your soil for planting next spring.
3. Trim branches
You don’t want rogue branches to fall or break off during snowfall. Trim branches that might cause issues over the winter.
4. Clean out the gutters
Not all fall cleanup is in the yard. This is the perfect time to clear leaves and other debris from rain gutters. Check for proper drainage around the home and clear out any blockages.
5. Dry everything out
Drain all water from hoses, fountains, and drip irrigation systems, and store them in a dry place. Water left standing over the winter may damage your equipment or cause hoses/pipes to freeze.
6. Aerate
Break up soil to keep water from pooling and guarantee that nutrients will reach the roots over the winter. A garden fork will do the job for small yards, but larger yards may require a walk-behind aerator.
7. Fertilize the lawn
Send your yard into winter with the nutrients it needs to survive the long, cold sleep. Add a fall lawn fertilizer with high phosphorous content to encourage root growth and enjoy a lush, green lawn come spring.
8. Rake and mulch
Don’t let fallen leaves get the best of you; if left unattended they can suffocate the grass. Rake them up, shred them, and use them as mulch for young trees, shrubs, and flower beds.
9. Prune trees and shrubs
Trim any dead branches and cut back overgrown trees and bushes. If you have spring-blooming perennials like lilac, now is the time to prune without risking blooms.
10. Give it one last mow
Set your mower to a low setting and give the lawn a close buzz before winter sets in. This helps the soil dry out more quickly in the spring, which leads to a lusher lawn.
11. Divide and cut back perennials
If your perennials really took off this year, go ahead and spread the love. Divide plants and add them to other beds where they will also do well. This saves money and time in the spring.
12. Protect cold-sensitive plants
Keep sensitive perennials, shrubs, and roses in top shape through the cold days of winter. Add mulch to the base and wrap plants in cloth barriers to prevent damage from freezing. Depending on the hardiness of the plant, you can use a single sheet or blanket or wrap them in a combination of cloth and plastic.
13. Plant bulbs, shrubs, and fall annuals
Some plants do best when planted in the fall. If you want to add new shrubs or spring bulbs, now is the time to get them in the ground. Fall annuals like pansies are also a great addition to keep some color in your yard as other plants go to sleep.
14. Protect the deck
Prevent the growth of mold and mildew by giving the deck a good power wash. Once the deck is clean and dry, add a weatherproofing stain to protect the wood from moisture damage over the winter.
15. Clean tools and store them
Don’t throw your gardening tools in the shed and forget about them until spring. Take time to give them a good cleaning and add a light coat of oil to prevent rust during the cold season.
When the warm weather returns, your garden will be ready to wow you with lush, green bounty if you follow this checklist.