Fall is always a great time of year to leverage the cooler temperatures and take care of your yard. With the weather cooling down and winter just around the corner, it’s a smart idea to keep your yard cleaned up during the fall. Here are 7 simple fall yard maintenance tips to help you get started. This will help to avoid issues related to pests, plant diseases, and weeds, and keep your garden looking great. With that in mind, we’ve outlined a list of simple ways to keep your yard cleaned up during the fall. These tips can help you ensure a beautiful yard throughout the year. Read on to learn about the 7 simple fall yard maintenance tips.
Tip 1 –Pickup Leaves
The leaves are falling. Yes, autumn is always a beautiful time of year, even if it means that you have to deal with falling leaves for quite some time. If you allow them to pile up, not only will your landscaping look messy but you will invite a much bigger issue such as fungal diseases. One handy way to handle this is to mow your lawn on the mulch setting provided the leaf coverage isn’t too thick. This will add nutrients to your lawn and allow the leaves to decompose, a win-win. You can also use a rake or leaf blower to deal with them.
Tip 2 – Aerate Your Lawn
Let’s face it, nobody likes to aerate the lawn because it is hard work and most lawn services do not offer this service. Over time the soil in your lawn gets compacted and aeration allows for breaking up the soil so that water and other nutrients can reach the roots of the grass. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider aerating your lawn in the fall. If you want your lawn to not only survive the winter but also come back strong in the spring, aerating is a great idea. You can check your hardware or garden store for implements or you can rent an aerator.
Tip 3 – De-Thatch Your Lawn
De-thatching a lawn is another one of those chores that people tend to neglect but vital to the health of the lawn. Thatch is referred to as a layer of dead organic matter mixed with living plant parts that can cause serious issues for your lawn if you don’t deal with it. Thatch usually occurs when landscapers use too much fertilizer or water their lawn too frequently. If you notice thatch, you can use a mower or power rake to rip out the layer of thatch.
Tip 4 – Use Seeds to Fill in Bare and Dead Spots
Now that you have removed thatch leaving behind bare patches of soil, it’s time to reseed. Additionally, the summer heat can be harsh for the lawn. This is why fall is the perfect time to use seeds to fill in any bare and dead spots that have affected your lawn. You will give your lawn a chance to come back healthier and stronger in the spring. This is a much more efficient option than replacing certain areas of your lawn entirely with new sod.
Tip 5 – Add Mulch and Fertilize One More Time
Mulch is one of the most versatile landscaping products on the market. Freshly added mulch can make a big visual and practical impact in the fall and winter months. Laying down mulch around your garden beds will keep moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from taking over during the winter. It can also help to regulate the temperature of the soil. You should also fertilize your lawn one more time with a blend that promotes root growth deep into the soil.
Tip 6 – Trim Dead and Decaying Branches
In a previous blog post, we told you not to trim trees in August and wait until the fall. And there are good reasons for that. The fall presents gardeners with the perfect opportunity to trim away any dead and decaying branches. For some trees and shrubs, it is best to wait until they have entered their dormant phase. If your plants or trees have branches that could break or fall on your house during the winter, its best to take them out in the fall. Pruning will also promote new growth in the spring and improve the overall look of the plant.
Tip 7 – Establish a Maintenance Schedule
The very best way to maintain your landscape and lawn throughout the year is to create a schedule that you can adhere to. That way, you are not faced with an unsurmountable chore all at once. Staying proactive with your lawn care routine and gardening chores is key to a healthy-looking landscape. Even if it is the fall or winter season.
In Closing
We hope you enjoyed reading about the 7 simple fall yard maintenance tips and are helping you to simplify your landscape and lawn cleanup in the fall. Reach out to Shamrock Landscape if you are interested in a high-quality lawn mowing service to help you minimize your time.
