What to Expect from a Fall Cleanup

August 26, 2021 Published by Leave your thoughts

As summer comes to an end, it’s time to start planning your fall cleanup. Getting your yard ready for winter is important. It keeps your plants and lawn healthy and saves you time and energy when springtime arrives. Read on to learn what a fall cleanup includes.

Remove debris

Cleaning out landscaping debris is one of the first things to do for a fall cleanup. Leaves and other landscaping debris that’s left on the lawn or in flower beds not only affects the health of the lawn itself, but it also provides the perfect place for pests to hide and settle in during colder weather. Be thorough about removing all debris from your yard, paying special attention to flower beds and rose beds, since their foliage can foster disease during the winter months.

Prune and trim

Pruning and trimming is always included in a fall cleanup. Since the leaves are falling, it’s easier to spot any dead, damaged or diseased branches that you may have missed when the trees were full during summer. Out-of-place tree branches can cause problems during cold-weather seasons, and you certainly don’t want branches to break off due to snow or ice. Prune and trim to keep trees and bushes as healthy as possible throughout the winter.

Aerate and fertilize the lawn

Fall is the perfect time to aerate the lawn. Cool air temperatures and warm soil temperatures make aeration less of a chore during the fall season, and this step is crucial in allowing air, water and other important nutrients to make their way through your lawn. While very small yards can be aerated by hand with a garden fork, a walk-behind aerator is best for larger yards. After aeration, feed your yard with a winter blend fertilizer. You’ll be happy you did when springtime arrives, as your lawn will be primed for healthy growth.

Protect plants that are sensitive to cold

Perennials, roses and certain shrubs don’t do well in cold winter temperatures. Protect them before temperatures drop by adding mulch around the base and wrapping each plant in a cloth barrier to prevent damage from freezing. In more mild climates that don’t experience significant hard freezes, a single sheet or blanket will work, while shrubs in colder climates do best with a combination of cloth and plastic.

Plant annuals and shrubs

Not all plants are planted in the spring. Spiraea and rhododendron bushes should be planted in the fall so they can start to spread their roots before going dormant during cold weather. Pansies and other fall annuals can also add some color during the colder seasons before a freeze. Get these plants in the ground as temperatures start to get cooler for best results.

Rather than wondering what you should do for a fall cleanup, rely on professional landscapers who know how to get the job done right. Rand Hill Lawns, Inc. takes care of it all, from cleaning out debris to fertilizing and aerating. Instead of spending your weekend working on the lawn, call in the experts who can take care of the dirty work to get your lawn in great shape for colder weather.

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