As the vivid colors of fall fade and cold weather approaches, it’s critical to give your lawn and garden some attention to keep them healthy and beautiful throughout the winter. Preparing your landscaping for winter not only protects plants from harsh weather but also lays the groundwork for a lush, vibrant yard in spring. At Lawn and Snow Pro, we’ve compiled our top fall landscaping ideas to assist you in taking care of your lawn, garden, and landscape before the snow arrives.

1. Remove fallen leaves from your lawn to prevent moisture-trapping debris that harms grass, promotes mold growth, and attracts bugs. Raking and removing leaves regularly allows your grass to breathe, reducing the likelihood of dead patches in spring. If you want to make the most of your fallen leaves, consider mulching them using a lawnmower. Mulched leaves decompose fast and supply beneficial nutrients to your soil.

2. Aerate your lawn.
Aeration is a critical stage in fall lawn care. Over time, your soil may become compacted, reducing the passage of air, water, and nutrients to your lawn’s root system. Aerating the soil in the fall reduces compaction and promotes deeper root growth, resulting in healthier, more resilient grass. At Grass and Snow Pro, we recommend aerating your grass before winter to give it the best chance of thriving come spring.

3. Fertilize for Winter Protection.
Fertilizing your lawn in the fall is essential in preparing it for the winter weather ahead. A slow-release fertilizer offers vital nutrients that build the root system, allowing your lawn to weather the winter freeze. Look for a fertilizer heavy in potassium, as this nutrient increases your lawn’s cold tolerance and will enable it to recover more quickly when temperatures rise.

4. Prune trees and shrubs.
Pruning trees and shrubs in the fall can help them withstand the winter. Dead or overgrown branches may snap under the weight of snow or ice, causing damage to neighboring structures or plants. Trimming and shaping your trees and shrubs in the fall reduces the chance of winter breakage and promotes healthy spring growth. Furthermore, pruning dead branches helps to prevent disease and insect infestations, which could affect your environment.

5. Clean up the flower beds and gardens
Fall is the ideal time to clean up your garden beds and prepare them for the following growing season. Remove dead plants, discarded flowers, and debris holding pests or diseases. A layer of organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, helps to insulate your garden beds and protects your plants’ roots from temperature extremes. Mulching also keeps moisture in the soil, giving your plants the water they require during the winter.

6. Plant fall perennials and bulbs.
Perennials and spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, are best planted in the fall to establish roots before the winter chill sets in—plant bulbs in well-drained soil at the appropriate depth for each species. Adding a layer of mulch to your newly planted bulbs can keep them warm and help them blossom nicely in the spring.

7. Winterize the irrigation systems.
If you have an irrigation system, you must winterize it before freezing weather occurs. Draining water from hoses, sprinklers, and irrigation pipes helps keep the system from freezing and cracking in winter. Lawn and Snow Pro provides irrigation winterization services to guarantee that your system is properly shut down and safeguarded, avoiding costly repairs in the spring.

8. Continue mowing until the first freeze.
Continue mowing your grass until the first hard freeze of the season. Set your mower blades a little lower than usual for the last mow to prevent the grass from getting too long, which can cause matting beneath snow and raise the danger of mold growth. However, avoid cutting it too short since this might stress your grass and make it more susceptible to winter damage.

Protect your landscape with Lawn and Snow Pro.

Preparing your yard for winter may seem like a big undertaking, but with the correct precautions, you can maintain your landscape healthy and beautiful during the cold months. grass and Snow Pro provides comprehensive autumn landscaping and winterization services to ensure your grass and garden thrive year after year. Contact us immediately to set up an appointment and guarantee your yard is prepared for the winter season.