Fall is a time when you get to finally settle down, relaxing as you transition out of the bustling summer months and into winter. That being said, there’s still a lot of work to be done before the cold sets in, especially when it comes to your yard. But what exactly does this involve? What should you specifically be focusing on to keep your yard looking good throughout the season and beyond? Here are seven tips for maintaining your home’s landscaping during the fall that will help you keep your yard in excellent shape.
1. Mow Your Lawn Fairly Short Before You Retire Your Mower
Mowing your lawn one last time before winter arrives is important. Keep your grass trimmed fairly short, but don’t go too short as your grass will need to absorb nutrients. Keeping it short will also prevent leaves from getting stuck to your lawn and piling up there. If you’re looking to avoid raking, you can mow your leaves as well!
2. Aerate Your Lawn and Feed Your Grass
Aerating your lawn is important if rain seems to be pooling up but isn’t reaching the roots of your grass. Follow this up by feeding your grass so that roots stay healthy and strong and the grass can come back green in spring.
3. Trim Any Dead Limbs You Find
Wind and heavy snow can damage trees. If there are large limbs overhead, this puts you and your property at risk. Trim any dead limbs you notice during fall to prevent this from happening.
4. Plant Some New Shrubs
Whereas you might be looking to trim certain plants during the fall, there are others that you should be focused on planting. Shrubs are perfect to plant during the fall as it gives them time to establish strong roots and add some more greenery come next year. Consider fast-growing shrubs for this project.
5. Cut Back Any Perennials So They Don’t Get Buried
Trim perennials down to the ground so that you don’t have to search through the decay once the snow melts and so that they’ll have more energy to send to the roots. You should consider getting rid of some older annuals as well as they can attract pests and might not survive.
6. Clean and Repair Your Hardscapes
Your hardscapes are arguably the most important and most expensive part of your landscaping. It’s important to clean it thoroughly and address problem areas like cracks or lack of sealant that could worsen with the freezing and thawing that accompanies winter.
7. Make Sure None of Your Landscaping Tools Are Left Out
If you deeply care about your yard, you’ve been investing in high-quality landscaping tools. The last thing you want is for your tools to be damaged by rain or snow. Make sure you store them in a safe place over the winter so that they’re well-protected until it’s time to bring them out again.
Fall landscaping is critical to a healthy, stellar-looking yard in the spring. Keep your yard in great shape this season with the seven tips offered above!
