The rains and sunny warmth of summer will soon give way to the cool, dryness of fall. It probably won’t show up for a few weeks more, but it’s imminent.
Your greens will soon begin to turn a rusty brown, and maintaining lawns and gardens will soon become more than a hassle - a proper chore.
Difficult as it may seem, prepping your landscape for winter is a crucial maintenance aspect. So, it’s essential to get certain things done in this regard. And this is why we’ve written this piece featuring a checklist of activities to attend this fall.
Read on!
Aerate your lawn
Rainfall pooling on the green turf indicates that you should aerate the lawn’s compressed soil. This is important for allowing nutrients and moisture to reach the plant roots.
For small spaces, a small garden fork comes in handy. However, if you have a large lawn, you can use a walk-behind aerator with soil plugs.
Clear off fallen leaves
It won’t do to have thick layers of leaves lying about the turf, as it's not convenient for the grass underneath. So, you must clear them off by raking.
If the layer of fallen leaves isn’t too thick, you can mow over them, chopping them into tiny pieces to serve as an additional nutrient source for the soil. This way, nothing goes to waste.
Weed regularly
Fall’s cool temperatures are conducive to the growth of lawn weeds like clover and dandelions. And, you’ll soon find them creeping up around the green more frequently than before.
To keep your plants healthy, you must eliminate them as soon as they sprout, as they aggressively compete with your plants for space, air, and nutrients.
Irrigation
You shouldn't ignore lawn irrigation even if there’s reduced humidity and slower grass growth.
If you reside in a frigid region, you should keep watering the turf until the freeze sets in. However, irrigation should be conducted every two weeks if you live in warmer climes.
Add mulch
Mulching provides a protective covering to reduce soil erosion and loss of soil moisture via evaporation.
Ensure to add 4-5-inch-thick layers of mulch over the plants.
Eliminate diseased plants
If there are pest-ridden or diseased plants around the yard, now is a great time to eliminate them.
Removing plants, stems, and leaves with bugs or diseases greatly reduces the workload for the coming year.
Water regularly
The dryness often associated with fall means that you’ll have to water your plants more often than before.
Although perennial trees tend to go dormant in fall, you should note that their roots continue growing until deep winter when the ground freezes over.
If you water them well enough from now, they’ll be able to handle winter’s chill and stress better.
Hire a landscaping expert
Of course, getting the right professional landscaping service can help save you the hassle and stress. Plus, you’ll rest easier in the knowledge that experts are handling your space. Request a quote to get started!