It’s the time of year to begin planning for landscaping in the fall. If you’re not certain which lawn maintenance tasks you should be taking care of, here is a list to guide you.
Rake the Leaves
Before winter arrives, rake leaves and remove fallen branches from your landscaping and yard. Remove debris from sidewalks, driveways, patios, window sills, etc. You may need to use multiple tools to remove leaves, for instance, a rake for the lawn and a leaf blower for the driveway and sidewalks.
Collect the leaves you’ve raked into bags. Depending on your city, they might be picked up by your trash service, or some local parks and community services may offer leaf collection.
Inspect the Trees When Landscaping in Fall
Inspect trees to look for damage from storms or insects. A quick examination can help you identify weak, damaged, or dead limbs. These should be removed before cold, icy weather arrives to minimize the risk of these branches falling and causing damage during a winter storm.
Aerate the Lawn
Annual or bi-annual aeration is recommended to keep the grass healthy, especially for turf that receives heavy traffic. Aerating in the late summer to early fall reduces compaction in the soil, allowing air and water to penetrate deeper into your yard.
Adapt Your Mowing
When to mow your lawn in autumn depends upon the grass type you have. Many cool-season kinds of grass do not need to be cut during the autumn months at all, while warm-season grasses should remain only slightly higher than 1 to 2 inches. You may be mowing less frequently, but you will probably still need to continue to mow.
Include Seasonal Plants and Flowers in Your Fall Landscaping
Colorful mums and pansies are commonly available at garden centers in the fall. By adding seasonal plants and flowers to your outside landscaping or decor, you’ll be able to enjoy your garden a bit longer into the season.
Plant New Grass
Planting grass in fall is a great way to revitalize your yard and landscape. If you have bare spots in your yard, now is the ideal time to prepare the soil and plant new grass. Water new seeds thoroughly and keep the lawn watered throughout the autumn months. Planting in the fall gives grass seed time to establish strong roots before winter.
Landscaping in the Fall: Add Mulch
Spread a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch in your garden beds. Organic mulch improves the soil’s ability to absorb and retain water, so it’s attractive and beneficial for landscaping.
This seasonal transition includes raking leaves, inspecting trees, aerating the lawn, and adapting your mowing patterns. These are important maintenance tasks that should be completed before winter arrives.
Elite Home Inspections offers inspection to customers in Louisville and the surrounding area. Contact us to schedule an appointment.