5 Tips for Fall Landscaping

FALL FORWARD

​Fall is an excellent time for planting, repairing the lawn, and giving your landscaping the care and attention that it needs to make it through the winter.

Taking these simple steps in the autumn will ensure that your landscaping looks its best year-round. A little maintenance can go a long way to keeping your lawn looking healthy. 

Follow these tips for fall landscaping so that you’re lawn and gardens are in great shape before the first frost:

1. Clean Up DebRIS

Fall is the season to get out the rake and clear away any fallen leaves and other debris that may be sitting on the lawn and in flower beds. Take the time to pull out weeds to prevent them from taking hold in your garden. By removing debris, you’re also getting rid of convenient spots for pests to settle in, minimizing potential damage. Cleaning up debris not only enhances curb appeal, but it also makes it much easier to tackle landscaping in the springtime. ​

2. Mow & Fertilizer

Turn your attention to your lawn in the fall. This is the time to repair any damaged areas and fill in any bald patches of grass. The summer heat can take a toll on even the best lawn. Continue mowing, as cool-season grasses begin to grow quickly as the weather starts to turn. Warm-season grasses typically grow faster when the weather’s hot. The ideal time to mow your grass is when it reaches between 2.5 to 3 inches in height.

​Keep in mind that the type of grass you have will impact how far down you should cut. If you go too short, you risk impairing healthy growth. If you’re not sure what type of grass you have, a local lawn care business can help identify it and tend to it properly in every season.
​
Fertilizing the lawn is one of the most important things that you can do in the fall. For warm-season grasses, the application of a nitrogen only fertilizer is all you need to keep it looking green and healthy over the winter. For cool-season grasses, use a fertilizer that consists of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

3. Transplant Trees and Shrubs

The fall season is the perfect time to transplant trees and shrubs. The weather is favorable for minimizing shock to the plant and the roots will have plenty of time to get established. There are fewer pests to cause damage to the leaves and the cooler weather causes the plants less stress. By the time warmer weather rolls around in the spring, transplanted trees and shrubs should be ready to grow.

4. Plant Perennials

​Perennials add color and vibrancy to your landscaping, and the fall is a great time to get them in the ground. What makes perennials such a good choice is that they’ll return year after year, blooming and bringing beauty to your property without requiring much effort at all. For summer season perennials that are dying, you can cut them down to keep your flower beds from getting too messy.

5. Add Fresh Mulch

​Adding a layer of fresh mulch will give your plants insulation and protection from the cold. Mulch also helps to reduce weed growth, so your gardens will look well-cared for. Mulch around trees but avoid touching the trunk. In the spring, you’ll only need to add about an inch of fresh mulch to top it off, which saves you both time and money.

---

​If you enjoyed these winter landscaping tips but aren’t able to do the work on your own, consider hiring a local lawn care business. Professional landscapers have the skills, tools, and knowledge necessary to beautify your lawn and keep your property looking its very best throughout the year.