Keep Your Yard Beautiful and Healthy Starts in the Fall
Many homeowners dedicate the spring and summer seasons to working on their lawns and gardens. Then, as cooler weather approaches, their hard efforts fall to the wayside. However, we assure you that fall is not only an idyllic time to spend on your landscaping, but your efforts in prepping your yard will help it weather the winter months and provide a healthy, strong start in spring.
To help you make the most of the fall landscaping and lawn care season, we’ve compiled our Fall Landscaping Maintenance Guide with six steps you can take to keep your property healthy all year long.
6 Fall Landscaping Tips to Add to Your Autumn Agenda
1. Tidy Up Your Yard
The air temps have dropped, and the soil is easier to dig in the fall, so take this time to conduct some basic lawn care tasks. These should include:
- Pulling weeds (including their entire roots)
- Getting rid of debris and dead grass
- Removing annual plants that have seen better days
- Fertilizing and overseeding your yard’s bald spots
2. Keep Up With Your Mowing
Your grass will continue to grow through fall, so don’t slack on your mowing just yet. Generally, grass can be kept shorter—approximately 2 inches high—as the weather gets cooler. The ideal lawn height varies by type of grass, so do some research or ask an expert for recommendations if you’re unsure of what’s appropriate for your lawn.
3. Aerate Your Lawn
Give your lawn some breathing room by aerating it. Rainfall from spring and summer can compress the soil and cause thatch buildup (the layer of dead grass, roots, and debris that accumulates between the soil’s surface and grass). Aerating loosens the soil so oxygen, water, and nutrients reach the grass’s roots.
4. Spread Mulch to Add a Layer of Protection
While many people think of mulching as a spring/summer activity, it’s beneficial in the fall as well. By applying a layer of mulch around the base of trees and other plants to help keep the ground warm, you can protect their roots when the temperature drops below the freezing point.
5. Spruce Up Your Landscape with Hardy Plants that Endure Cool Weather
Who says spring and summer have dibs on captivating colors? Many beautiful perennial plant varieties thrive in the fall season and withstand Pennsylvania winters.
Several examples include:
- Mums
- Asters
- Autumn Joy Sedum
- Bee Balm
Be sure to follow the recommended planting and care directions for the specific varieties you choose. Installing them too late in the year or watering them when frost is imminent can thwart their growth or even cause them to perish.
6. Prune Appropriately
If spring-summer blooming perennials have become overgrown, a little fall pruning can help them reclaim their vibrant beauty next year. Keep in mind that some plants do better if pruned in spring, so make sure to research your plant’s optimal time of cutting back.
Many trees go dormant in the cold months of winter, so generally, pruning is best then. But you can get a jump on the task in the fall by removing dead, broken, or otherwise dangerous branches. Be sure to avoid making cuts that will stimulate new growth because the freezing temperatures ahead will likely kill those new buds and potentially make the tree more susceptible to injury.
Give Your Lawn and Landscape the Care It Needs
By applying these fall tips, you’ll maintain a healthy, beautiful landscape year-round. Do you have questions or want more information? We are happy to help! Contact us to talk with one of our experts!
