Ahhhh, the dreaded upstate NY winter. If you live in the Capital Region, you’re well versed in the leaves that come down all over Albany, Saratoga, Clifton Park, Ballston Spa, etc. After the leaves turn and we get a chance to see the beautiful foliage, our yards are covered with leaves and there isn’t much time before winter comes!
Winter may be just around the corner but that doesn’t mean it’s time to leave your landscaping to its own devices! Fall is the perfect time for prepping your yard to withstand the winter months and setting it up to look amazing in the spring. Skipping over fall cleanup can have harsh consequences for your yard and lead to things like snow mold and crown hydration.
Wondering what fall cleanup entails? We’ve got you there! Here is a list of some fall cleanup tasks you should do to winterize your lawn.
Leaf Removal
Raking leaves may not be on your favorites list for chores to do but it is essential to prepare your lawn for winter. This fall cleanup task is probably the most obvious of the bunch. Before you simply bag those leaves and throw them out, however, consider running them over with the lawn mower and using the shredded leaves as natural mulch for outdoor plants. Whole leaves will suffocate your landscaping this winter and are a leading cause of snow mold.
While you’re in the yard raking up those leaves, grab your rake and take a turn with that, as well. This will help keep your lawn from suffocating and allow for stimulation.
Pruning Those Perennials
Photo Credit: goodhousekeeping.com
Take the time to have your perennials pruned back this fall! Cut back your perennials and consider dividing those which might have flourished a lot this past season. For fall-blooming perennials, do not separate these just yet. Removing old stalks and leaves will prepare your perennials for a thriving spring!
Fall is also a great time to winterize trees and shrubs. Cut back dead branches and leaves and use this time to train branches for blooming flowers. Giving a deep watering in late fall to shrubs and trees after leaves have fallen will give them enough to last through winter.
Most importantly: weed! Weeding your landscaping is absolutely essential for fall cleanup and cannot be stressed enough.
Mulching
Photo Credit: popularmechanics.com
We touched on this part when discussing leaf removal but using natural shredded leaves are not the only type of mulch you can use in your landscaping this fall. If you don’t have the leaves to use or you prefer using something else, consider using a bark mulch. Mulching your landscaping will help insulate those perennials in the harsh winter months.
Aerating and Overseeding
Photo Credit: thespruce.com
Fall is a great time for overseeding your yard! Rake your lawn first to have better success with the new seeds. Cool season grasses also benefit from aerating in the fall. This helps relieve soil compaction (which will only increase over the winter as snow and foot traffic plague your lawn) and let your yard breathe. Aerating your lawn is also a way to improve soil drainage. Proper drainage and fertilization can help prevent crown hydration in your lawn.
Now you can see why fall cleanup is so essential to your landscaping. The results of skipping out on these tasks can lead to snow mold, crown hydration, a suffocated yard, and diseased plants. You want to be the envy of the neighborhood, don’t you?
Ready to spend multiple weekends working hard to winterize your yard? No? This is where professional fall cleanup services give you peace of mind and saves you time! We have the team and tools needed to successfully prepare your lawn for winter. With fall cleanup, your lawn will be ready to flourish next spring! Avoid the horrors of potential snow mold and suffocating your lawn, so your curb appeal will hold strong when spring rolls around.
NVS Landscapes offers Fall cleanup services in Albany, Saratoga, and surrounding areas. Contact us using the form below if you’re interested in a quote, or give us a call:
