Spring and summer may be the fun times of the year to work out in the yard, watching everything bloom and soak up the sun and water, but there’s plenty to do in the fall, too. Now is the time to take care of your yard’s landscaping so that you’re ready for next spring. Plus, you don’t want to deal with dead plants, cracks in the driveway, or any other landscaping issues in the middle of winter.
Take a look at these fall landscaping tips so you can prepare now.
- Mulch your shrubs, trees, and flower beds. This will protect the roots from frost and help retain moisture if it’s a cold and dry winter.
- You don’t want to prune your plants as you do in spring, but you do want to remove dead and dying limbs, blooms, branches, and plants.
- When rain pools in your grass, it’s time to aerate your lawn. This will make sure that nutrients can get to the roots through the fall and winter.
- Late summer is the last of your major fertilization, but your grass still needs help. Use a high-phosphorus mix which will encourage the roots to take hold and will help your grass turn green earlier in the spring.
- Protect your shrubs and delicate plants by covering them. Hide small plants under a bucket and wrap shrubs in burlap to protect them from the harsh winter conditions on the way.
- Mow your lawn one last time in late fall to a short 1 ¼ inch length. This makes it harder for leaves to collect on your grass.
- Keep your leaves raked up to prevent slips, trips, and falls around your property. You don’t want to go to the emergency room or be liable for a friend’s accident.
- Clean up and repair your driveway, walkways, and sidewalk so they look good and don’t present a separate hazard to anyone on your property.
- Fall is also a time to plant new shrubs. This gives the plants a head start on establishing their root system. Don’t forget to mulch the new plants.
Taking care of your lawn in fall can be more pleasant than during the heat of the spring and summer seasons. Don’t delay too long on getting these things taken care of or you may lose plants over the winter or find yourself working in the yard when you’d rather be inside in a warm house.
Some of your landscaping needs are to keep your lawn looking good, but others are to keep your home safe for you, your family, and anyone who visits. If a visitor trips or slips while on your property, make sure to contact your insurance agent immediately. Here at Charlotte Insurance, we’ll help you navigate the process and answer your questions about your homeowner’s insurance.