Fall Clean Up

Temps are cooling and the leaves are changing. Yep, it’s that time of year again. So before you head to the pumpkin patch or start to settle in for winter hybernation, put aside some time to get your yard ready for winter. The right preparation now will save you time and money when spring rolls around. Make sure you get the most out of your yard next year by following our checklist of fall cleanup musts.

1. Clean out leaves and weeds.

Fallen leaves and weeds make great winter homes for mice and other furry creatures. Clear out flower beds to keep these critters from building nests or even getting inside your home . Pay special attention to rose beds, as their foliage can foster disease over the winter.

2. Clean up the vegetable garden

After the final harvest, pull out old vegetable plants and remove dead leaves and debris. If you compost, now is the time to add a layer of compost to help richen your soil for spring time planting.

3. Trim branches

Trim back dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Prune dead or out-of-place tree branches that may break or cause trouble during the winter. You don’t want them falling with the weight of snow during the winter months.

4. Dry everything out

Drain all water from hoses, fountains, bird baths, and drip irrigation systems. Store them in a dry place. Water left standing over the winter may cause serious damage to your equipment.

5. 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.

6. Feed 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.

7. 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. You might even be able to skip the raking part if you use a lawn mower to mulch the leaves in your yard.

8. Prune trees and shrubs

Trim any dead branches and cut back overgrown trees and bushes. If you have spring-blooming perennials like lilac or forsythia, now is the time to prune without risking blooms.

9. 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, greener lawn.

10. 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. This saves money and time in the spring. Fall-blooming perennials like chrysanthemums shouldn’t be divided now—wait and divide them in the spring.

11. 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 them from frost damage. Depending on the hardiness of the plant and your climate, you can use a single sheet or blanket or wrap them in a combination of cloth and plastic.

12. 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 like hyacinth, 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.

13. 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.

Follow this checklist to have a wonderfully winterized yard that will be ready to wow you with lush, green bounty once the warm weather returns. For more information or help with your fall yard maintenance and clean up, visit www.drewspropertymanagement.com