As the leaves begin to change colors and the temperatures start to drop, now is the time to start thinking about preparing your yard for fall. With a little bit of advance planning, you can ensure that your landscaping looks its best throughout the autumn months. Keep reading for our top five tips on how to prepare your yard for fall.
Step One: Fertilize Your Lawn
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your yard for fall is to fertilize your lawn. This will give your grass the nutrients it needs to stay green and healthy as the weather gets colder. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package closely, as too much fertilizer can actually do more harm than good. Apply fertilizer to your lawn about six weeks before the first frost is expected in your area.
Step Two: Rake Up Fallen Leaves
As pretty as they may be, fallen leaves can actually do some serious damage to your lawn if they are not removed in a timely manner. Wet leaves can smother grass and promote fungus growth, while dry leaves can block sunlight and air circulation. To avoid these problems, rake up fallen leaves on a regular basis throughout the autumn months. If you have a lot of trees on your property, you may want to invest in a leaf blower or mulching mower to make the job easier.
Step Three: Get Rid of Pests
Fall is also a good time to take care of any pests that may be lurking in your yard. Common culprits include ants, rabbits, and grubs. If you have a problem with any of these pests, take care of them before winter sets in. Left unchecked, pests can cause serious damage to your landscaping over the winter months.
Step Four: Plant Some Fall Flowers
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to color in your yard. Plenty of beautiful flowers bloom in the fall, including mums, asters, and ornamental kale. Adding some fall flowers to your landscaping will give it a boost of color and life as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop.
Step Five: Put Away Your Lawn Furniture
As much as you may not want to admit it, summer is coming to an end. To prepare your yard for fall, put away any lawn furniture or other summertime accessories that you won’t be using anymore. This includes things like pool toys, garden hoses, and patio umbrellas. Storing these items away properly will help them last longer and stay in better condition until next summer rolls around again.
By following these five simple tips, you can easily prepare your yard for fall weather—and enjoy watching it transition from summertime green to autumnal reds and oranges all season long!