Fall is the time to batten down the hatches, so to speak, when it comes to your yard. Plants begin to wilt and die while leaves, branches, and other debris fall from the trees above. Taking the proper precautions before the winter hits will ensure that you have a healthy and happy yard after the final frost thaws. Follow these fall cleanup tips from specialists in property maintenance in Monmouth & Ocean County.
Rake Your Lawn
The brilliant colors of changing leaves are wonderful to the eye but can pose a harmful threat to your lawn. If your grass is buried under a layer of leaves, it won’t receive the needed nutrients that the sun provides. Also, a buildup of excess leaves prevents moisture from reaching the soil. Snowfall overtop of dead leaves can also lead to patches of dead grass come springtime.
Leaves aren’t the only problem, either. Fallen twigs, crabapples, and acorn shells littering your yard over the winter can also cause bare spots in the grass. Plus, if you have a thick layer of leaves hiding them from view, you could possibly damage the blades of your lawn mower while cutting the grass.
Clean Up the Beds
One final round of weeding in the fall ensures that weeds will be slower to grow come springtime. Clear any debris in the flower beds, and pull out any unhealthy or dead plants or shrubs. Throw down some fresh mulch to seal the beds and help protect them from cold temperatures.
Aerate the Lawn
Aerating your lawn will help water penetrate the hard, compacted surface, providing more nutrients and water for roots. When you aerate, you’re basically punching tiny holes Fall is the perfect time to aerate because of the cool nights and warm days. It also promotes proper water drainage and decreases areas of pooling when there’s a lot of rain or snow.
One Final Mow
The rate of grass growth slows towards the end of Autumn, depending on the temperature and amount of precipitation. When you’re ready for the final mow, trim your grass down to about 1 ¼ inches. At that length, the grass is short enough that leaves can blow right across your lawn without getting trapped in the blades. However, take care not to trim the grass too short or else it will turn brown.
Trim Dead Weight
Take a walk around your yard and prune lifeless limbs on shrubs and trees. These limbs tend to snap during the first winter storm of the season, and can harm your car, windows, or even the roof of your house, depending on their size. Stripping away the dead weight will also increase the overall health of your plant, allowing it more energy to grow.
Clean Out the Gutters
This is generally everyone’s least favorite task, but it’s also one of the most essential. Leaving twigs and rotting leaves in your gutters over the winter can have potentially hazardous effects. Clogged gutters can cause water from rain or melting snow to collect on your roof, which could start a leak and lead to water damage in the attic, crawlspace, or basement. In addition, winter temperatures can cause moisture to freeze the debris in your gutters. With added weight of snow, they become heavy – increasing the potential for them to tear away from your house, causing additional roof damage.
Carefree Dreamscapes for Property Maintenance in Monmouth County
These are just a few of the necessary tasks for a proper fall cleanup. The work is time-consuming and can be difficult without the proper tools or materials.
Instead, look to an experienced company like Carefree Dreamscapes for property maintenance in Monmouth & Ocean County. We are a family owned and operated landscaping company offering a full compliment of services. Not only will turn your landscape into a dreamscape, but you can turn to us for continued property maintenance. Now is the time to schedule your fall cleanup. Our schedule is filling quickly, so contact us today!
