Autumn is a time of getting rid of the old in preparation for the new. Yes, your trees may be bare when it’s over, but that’s all to get ready for new leaves to cover your trees next spring.
Fall is also the perfect time to do some fall cleaning yourself. There are a few things you can do in the fall that will help get it in tiptop shape next spring when things start blooming.
1. Remove Leaves and Sticks
The trees leave a bit of a mess behind as they’re shedding their leaves. You’ll probably also notice your lawn is covered in sticks.
Whether you mulch your leaves or rake them, getting them out of the way is the first step toward assessing the work that needs to be done. In the process, make sure all those pesky sticks and any other debris are out of the way. You could even make it a weekend project for the whole family.
2. Seed Bare Patches
Once you’ve cleared the debris away, you’ll be able to take a better look at your grass. The summer heat, along with foot traffic, can do a number on the lush green lawn you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.
Fall is the perfect time to drop some seed into those bare spots. The warm soil, mixed with cooler air and seasonal rain showers, will help the grass take root. You’ll also be heading into a long winter where you won’t have to worry about anyone walking or playing on the seeds you’ve put down. Make sure you supplement those rainy days with water if necessary.
3. Eliminate Weeds
Over the course of the summer, your flowerbeds likely gathered a few weeds. Fall is a great time to clean up your beds, including removing any trees or shrubs you don’t want anymore. With all the rain the fall season brings, the ground will be soft enough to easily pull those items out of the ground.
It might be tempting to clean up your shrubs and bushes in the fall, but it’s important to avoid pruning until the trees are completely dormant. Pruning encourages growth, and you won’t want to do that prior to them going dormant.
Great American Landscaping works hard throughout the fall to make area lawns look great for spring. If you live in the greater Washington, D.C. area, give us a call at (301) 972-5681 to see what we can do to make your lawn ready to thrive next year. You can also use this form to schedule a call with one of our experts.
