The arrival of fall means hot drinks, pumpkins, and all the other activities that come with the new season. It also means it’s time to get your yard and lawn ready for winter. Taking care of a few tasks now will make a huge difference in how your landscaping does in the spring.
Our must-do list
Everyone’s yard is a little different, but there are some jobs almost everyone needs to take care of. Here’s our top must-do list for the fall.
Clean-up debris
Fallen leaves and weeds are the perfect place for mice and other animals to settle in for the winter. Flower beds should be cleared out, especially those around your house.
If you have a vegetable garden, clean out the plants, and remove any debris. If you compost or add any other end-of-the-season fertilizers, now is the time to add a layer.
Trim up dead, damaged, or diseased branches you didn’t get to in the summer. Prune out-of-place tree branches that may cause trouble during the winter. You don’t want any branches breaking and falling during the snowfall to come.
Trim bushes
Most bushes do best if they are trimmed in the autumn. Cut back any branches that have gotten unruly and reshape the bush. Trim up dead, damaged, or diseased branches you didn’t get to in the summer. Prune out-of-place tree branches that may cause trouble during the winter. You don’t want any branches breaking and falling during the snowfall to come.
Clean out gutters
Making sure your gutters are clean is one of the best ways to prevent ice dams and other water-related damage. Check that things are draining properly and clear out any blockages with a garden trowel and then rinse with a hose.
Drain everything
Drain out the water from everything that could be damaged by freezing – hoses, fountains, and drip irrigation systems. Let them dry out and then store them properly.
Take care of those leaves
It’s tempting to just ignore those fallen leaves, but they can suffocate the grass and cause damage in the spring. Rake them, shred them, and use them as mulch in your flowerbeds, vegetable garden, or around trees.
Great Goats Landscaping
Need a little more help getting your yard ready for fall this year? Give Great Goats Landscaping a call. We can make sure your yard is ready for the winter.