Temperatures are cooling, days are getting shorter, and it’s been hard putting away the shorts and sandals. But before you hang up your gardening gloves for the year, there’s a few things you can clean and trim around your landscape to guarantee next spring is its best yet. Make September your “Yard Clean Up” month!

Here are five things to put on your fall landscaping checklist:

COLLECT AND COMPOST DEAD LEAVES

Everyone knows they’re supposed to rake leaves to tidy up their yard, but not everyone knows what to do with them afterward. Instead of throwing them in the garbage, try composting them this year. It’s easy to get started and there are many benefits of using nutrient-rich compost in your yard. If you can’t compost at your home, consider taking advantage of local yard waste drop-off services to avoid the landfill.

TRIM YOUR TREES

Take a look around your yard and see if there are any dead branches that can be pruned. You won’t just improve your trees’ beauty, you’ll also protect your trees’ health and your home. Lifeless limbs are more susceptible to disease and can fall and damage your home. For large branches, it’s best to rely on professionals who are trained in safe pruning techniques like Detailed Landscape.

PRUNE PERENNIALS

Perennial flowers and shrubs can be the most reliably beautiful part of your yard, so it’s important to take care of them in the fall. Trim plants down to the ground to redirect plant energy to root growth, which will help them bear the winter. While you’re at it, take some time to divide crowded tubular plants to give them room to breathe. If you’re struggling to find time to do this essential chore, let Detailed Landscape take care of it for you. 

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARDEN

Don’t be tempted to leave that last, unwanted zucchini in your garden. Decomposing fruits and vegetables attract insects and harbor disease, putting your garden at a disadvantage when spring returns. Also check plants for signs of disease as you clean your garden. If you find signs, be careful: composting diseased plants can spread the disease. In that case, it’s best to just throw them away.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR TOOLS

A little effort now will guarantee you’ll be using gardening tools and equipment season after season. When you give your lawn one last cut, empty your mower’s gas tank to avoid gumming up the carburetor as it sits in winter storage. Dirt on hand tools can cause rust, so simply rinse or scrub it off. Sticky sap on tools can be stubborn—use a little paint thinner to help. Don’t forget to sharpen your shovels to keep them in top condition.

If you have any questions or if you’re having trouble finding time to give your landscape the attention it deserves, call the professionals at Detailed Landscape. We’ll make sure your yard is neat and tidy for the winter season.