As we exit summer and into the fall once again, it’s time to think about preparing your yard and landscaping for the harsh Upstate NY winter months ahead. Fall cleanup in Albany, NY and the Capital Region areas should be part of your annual routine. If you’ve done it before, no doubt you’ve seen the difference it makes. If you haven’t, then it’s time to get on it!
We’re taking a look at the benefits of fall cleanup services and answering your question, “do I need fall cleanup services near me?” (spoiler: if you’re in Upstate NY, you do). Don’t let all the work you had done on your landscaping this spring and summer go to waste as the weather turns cold. Doing fall cleanup now can set your lawn up for a lush spring.
Do I Need Fall Cleanup Services?
Do I need fall cleanup services near me? This is a question we hear all the time and the answer is a resounding yes! All climate regions and hardiness zones of the United States can benefit from some landscaping fall cleanup before winter, but it’s most especially useful in places like Albany, Colonie, Saratoga Springs, and the surrounding areas in Upstate NY that tend to have harsh winters.
Does your yard get leaves falling in it? Is your grass thinning in some areas? Do your trees need trimming back? What about adding fresh mulch to the landscaping around trees in your yard? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then you’ve got your answer to, “do I need fall cleanup services near me?” Now that you’ve got your answer, let’s dig into the benefits of fall cleanup so you can see just why it should be part of your fall routine!
Benefits of Fall Cleanup Services
Fall cleanup services are for more than just aesthetic reasons. Landscaping fall cleanup also helps prepare and protect your yard for the winter months ahead. With a little bit of preparation, you can set your lawn up to be lush and beautiful when spring rolls back around.
Some of the benefits of fall cleanup include:
- Avoiding snow rot or killing your grass under fallen leaves
- Filling in bare spots in your grass
- Preventing limb breakage under the weight of snow without losing spring blooms
- Allowing nutrients to nourish the soil longer with fresh mulch insulation
- Removing thatch while supporting root systems and stopping soil erosion
Benefits of Fall Cleanup Leaf Removal
The first, and most obvious, part of any fall cleanup guide is removing fallen leaves from your yard. While the beautiful fallen foliage may look pretty in your autumn landscaping, it can actually be very deadly for your grass and plants. Fallen leaves can be mulched during fall cleanup and used to your benefit, but if left alone where they’ve fallen naturally, the winter snow can start to cause snow mold. Snow mold, sometimes called snow rot, is a fungal disease resulting from wet leaves remaining on the grass for too long. While we can’t stop the typical harsh winters from covering your Upstate NY lawn, preparing your lawn for winter can help it survive the cold months and return to its lush glory in spring!
Planting Grass in Fall
Fall cleanup isn’t just about clearing off your lawn but also about getting a headstart for that lush green grass you want when spring arrives. If there are thinning or bare spots on your walls, then knowing what type of grass to use in Upstate NY lawns will help you overseed your yard with a type that will thrive.
In New York state, cool season grasses are the most common grasses found. Cool season grasses include varieties like Kentucky Bluegrass, fine fescues, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrasses. Seeding during the early fall provides an excellent environment for seed germination due to warm soil, cool temps, and steady rain.
Benefit of Tree Trimming With Fall Cleanup Services
Fall cleanup services also tend to include trimming back trees and shrubs. This is an important part of fall garden cleanup as you can trim off any dead branches without losing blooms for spring. In addition to cutting off dead branches to allow healthy ones to grow, pruning trees and shrubs may help prevent breakage during the winter from the added weight of snow and ice.
Pro Tip: Consult a landscaping professional to learn the best trees to plant in Upstate NY that will thrive even through the cold winter months for a low-maintenance yard!
Adding Mulch in Fall
Mulch application is best during mid-to-late spring and fall. Truth be told, however, it’s often easier to handle as part of your fall cleanup routine because you don’t have to worry about emerging bulbs or worrying about displacing seedlings. Once you’ve pruned back your perennials, adding mulch in fall is easy!
During the fall, soil is moist and perfect for mulching. In winter, the soil is too cold and during the summer it can be too dry. Apply new mulch after a fresh weeding of the soil and clearing out the old mulch that needs replacing. Adding mulch in fall allows you to insulate the microbes and organisms that add nutrition to the soil, letting them improve soil quality longer into the season than they would be able to under old mulch.
While it may take a 4- to 6-inch layer to completely shut out weed growth, a 2- to 3-inch layer is typically sufficient and will be perfect for your landscaping fall cleanup. Fall mulch will help insulate root systems, as well. Too much direct contact with plant stems, however, can cause a softening of the stems as the soil decomposes, increasing the risk of disease for your plants.
Benefits of Aerating Your Lawn During Fall Cleanup
Aerating your lawn during fall cleanup helps increase the air supply to grass roots and allow for better drainage in your yard. While we’re mentioning this as part of your fall cleanup routine, you may consider doing it twice a year (it can be part of your spring cleanup checklist, too!) if your yard becomes compacted by frequent use.
You’ll also notice that aerating helps with dethatching your lawn, as well. Thatch is the layer of dead grass or debris just above the soil. In small amounts, it can be beneficial, however if it grows too quickly or too thick it can choke your lawn and cause brown spots due to a lack of air and water from reaching your grass properly. Dethatching a bit as you aerate your lawn can help new grass seeds to contact the soil and begin to germinate.
Best Way to Find Fall Cleanup Services Near Me
Now that you’ve got an answer to the question, “what are the benefits of fall cleanup services near me?” it’s the perfect time to get started. If you don’t feel like spending your upcoming weekend prepping your lawn for the winter ahead, however, NVS Landscape Services will have the job done without you lifting a finger. Fall cleanup in Colonie, NY and the surrounding areas can make a huge difference in how great your lawn looks next spring and summer!
Thinking about your next big landscaping project for the year ahead? Check out our Project Planner for help planning and budgeting your landscape transformation. For more information on fall cleanup, landscaping, and preparing your yard for winter, take a look at these resources:
