We spend a lot of time planning in our daily routine. We plan for the weekends, we plan for vacation, we even plan for going back to school but have you started your planning for fall property maintenance?
Colder temperatures, shorter days, and harsher weather conditions can often wreak havoc on your lawn and garden. In order to save yourself a lot of time, stress, and money, here are some seasonal tips to prepare your property for the coming of fall.
- Just Add Mulch – Mulching is essential to keep moisture in and help your trees and plants from freezing in winter. Adding a layer of mulch in your garden and at the base of your trees protects the roots from becoming damaged in the harsh winter cold. Mulch reduces erosion in your soil and increases soil nutrition. It is also a perfect time to refresh your fertilizer.
- Don’t Leave the Leaves – When fallen leaves are left on the ground, they can bring in insects and cause mold growth. Each time it rains or snows, the leaves become heavier, restricting sunlight and air to your grass. Removing leaves allows water to evaporate and is vital to maintaining a beautiful, healthy lawn. Once the leaves are gone, the grass can be cut slightly shorter to avoid matting and mold from the snow.
- Use Your Green Thumb – It is time to plant, plant, plant. August is ideal for planting fall crops in locations within USDA Hardiness Zones 6 and warmer. Maryland ranges from plant Hardiness Zones 5b to 8a, so you have several excellent veggie options that you can plant. Trees and shrubs should be planted in the fall, around 4 to 6 weeks before the first frost. This allows the roots to establish before temperatures plummet in winter.
- Ready the Perennials – Perennials that flower in the spring need a bit of TLC if you want them to grow healthy and vibrant next year. Dividing the roots, then relocating them will give you even more plants to admire in the spring. Their new home also leaves these beauties with room to grow.
- Trim & Prune, But Not Too Much – Trimming dead branches is essential before winter weather rolls in because winds, rain, and heavy snows lead to fallen branches that can damage your home or property. Fall is also the best time to prune back damaged or dead plants before they become dormant for winter. Just remember to check which plants can wait until spring for pruning.
Now that you know what to do for fall, make sure you know who to call to assist you with your landscaping needs. Hometown Landscape can provide seasonal maintenance, fall clean-up, spring clean-up, planting, and more. Reach out to our expert team today to ensure that your fall checklist is complete.