Now is the time to get your yard cleaned up for the winter and ready for next spring. An unattended yard before the snow flies can lead to a wet, soggy mess when everything thaws out in the spring. Unattended leaves can kill grass and grow mold. New grass seed, garden plants, and septic tanks left un-insulated can be damaged or killed.
There are some easy steps you can take to make sure your yard is taken care of, though! Make sure to add these six items to your fall to-do list.
6 Ways To Prep Your Yard for Winter
Clean Flower Beds
Flower beds can get pretty messy by the end of the growing season. From wilting plants to weeds to fallen leaves, there is a lot of debris that needs to be cleaned out of flower beds before the cold season.
Grab a shovel, rake, and wheelbarrow, and take the time to clear out the extra plant waste from your flower beds. This way they will be clean and ready when spring rolls around again.
Plant Your Perennial Bulbs for the Following Year
If there are some beautiful perennials that you have been wanting to see in the yard, then the fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs.
So get a bag of your favorite perennial bulbs and get them planted before the first frost, and enjoy the fruits–or blooms–of your labor come spring!
Stop Your Usual Watering Schedule
Watering your plants is a great way to keep them alive, but that changes when the weather turns cold. Continuing to water your plants after the temperature drops could kill them.
Since plant growth slows drastically in the fall and winter, plants don’t need the same amount of water that they need during the spring and summer. During the fall days, you can still water your plants during the warmer daylight hours. Just avoid watering your plants when the temperature drops or reaches freezing.
Rake Your Leaves
While a light layer of mulched leaves could help naturally fertilize your yard, piles of wet, decaying leaves can thin and even kill your grass.
Mow or rake up the leaves in your yard to make sure your grass is thriving in the spring.
Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating the lawn before the temperature starts to drop helps your lawn look lush and healthy come springtime.
First, rake out the thatch, the layer of materials that builds between the grass and the soil. Then use an aeration tool to help permeate the soil; this will help oxygen, moisture, and vital nutrients to make their way down to the roots.
Protect Your Yard with Straw
Whether you have freshly planted bulbs, newly sprouted grass, garden plants, or a septic system, straw can help you insulate these things and protect them from the cold.
Frost and snow can damage your plants and can even wreak havoc on your septic system. You can add thick layers of straw over your plants or septic area to ensure that everything is in tip-top shape and ready to handle the cold months.
Getting your yard prepared for winter just takes a few easy steps, so take these last few weekends before the snow flies and get your yard in shape!
If you want to find other tips on winter preparation for your home and property, check out our other blog posts!