Photo by saulich / Freepik
As the leaves begin to fall and the weather gets colder, it’s important to take extra care of your yard. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your yard this fall:
Get out your equipment and assess what you need for fall yard work
Clean and inspect your mower, trimmer, leaf blower, pruner, or hedger. Get out the attachments you might need for fall yard work like an aerator or mulching attachment. Take any equipment that needs it to an authorized service representative.
Rake up leaves regularly
As any gardener knows, leaves can be a major pain to deal with. Not only do they make your yard look messy, but they can also kill your grass if left unchecked. Fortunately, there is an easy solution: rake up leaves regularly. This will not only help to keep your yard looking neat and tidy, but it will also prevent the leaves from smothering your grass. Raking also helps to aerate the soil and promote healthy growth. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the leaves in your yard, grab a rake and get to work!
Cut back any dead or dying plants
Each fall, as the temperatures start to drop and the days grow shorter, many plants begin to go into a state of dormancy. This is a natural process that helps them to survive the winter months. However, it can also mean that some plants may start to die back. While it may be tempting to just leave dead or dying plants in the ground, it’s actually best to cut them back. This will help encourage new growth in the spring. Dead plants can also provide shelter for pests and diseases, so by removing them you can help to keep your garden healthy. So when you’re doing your fall cleanup, don’t forget to cut back any dead or dying plants. It may seem like extra work now, but it will pay off in the spring.
Fertilize your lawn
As any gardener knows, fertilizing your lawn is important to keep the grass healthy. This is especially true in the winter, when the grass may not be getting as many nutrients from the sun and rain. By fertilizing your lawn, you’ll be giving the grass the extra boost it needs to stay strong and green all winter long. Plus, a healthy lawn will be better able to withstand the snow and cold temperatures, making it more likely to stay green all season. So if you want a beautiful lawn this winter, be sure to fertilize it now.
Be purposeful in how you maintain your landscape
If adding a tree or bush this season, consider its location, maintenance, sunlight, and watering needs, as well as how it might support local pollinators in the spring and backyard wildlife over the winter.
Aerate the lawn
Aeration prevents soil from becoming compacted and covered with thatch, a thick layer of roots, stems, and debris that blocks water, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the soil.
Mow at the right height. Continue to cut the grass until the first hard frost. Find the just-right length for your yard’s species, typically between 2-3 inches, to keep the grass healthy when it turns cold.
Water wisely. If the yard is not getting at least an inch of water a week from Mother Nature, keep watering through the fall. Install watering solutions, such as smart controllers on irrigation systems, to help conserve water.
Check if trees or bushes need pruning
Look for low-hanging branches that might snap or break in the winter and cause damage. Now is the time to trim them. Call a tree service if needed. By following these simple tips, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful yard all year long.
Family Yard Fall to-dos from Kris Kiser, President, and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation.
Learn more about the TurfMutt Foundation at TurfMutt.com.
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