7 Benefits of a Fall Lawn Cleanup

Key Takeaways
• Why a fall yard cleanup matters: A stronger winter lawn and fewer spring pests. • Mostly one-and-done: Do it now, skip the work in spring. • Weigh the cost: A pro runs a few hundred dollars.

The benefits of fall lawn cleanup add up fast: a stronger winter lawn, less spring yard work, fewer pests, and a safer yard.

What’s generally involved in a fall lawn care cleanup? Leaf cleanup, getting rid of dead and diseased plants, pruning dead branches, and mulching to insulate plants from the cold.

To get started, grab your rake (or leaf blower or mulching mower), tree trimming tools, garden gloves for weeding, and a wheelbarrow for hauling mulch.

Below are the 7 benefits of fall yard cleanup, plus a quick DIY-or-hire-a-pro call at the end. If you’d rather skip the raking and hauling, a local Lawn Love pro can handle the whole cleanup for you.

In this Article:

1. Removing leaves keeps grass from suffocating

Person using leaf blower on lawn — Keeping leaves off the lawn helps prevent pests and diseases. Photo Credit: PHOTOLIFESTYLE / Adobe Stock

Clearing leaves is the biggest task on any fall yard cleanup checklist, and it’s how a fall cleanup protects your lawn through winter.

Leaves left on the grass block sun and air, and a thick mat of wet leaves traps moisture, creating a breeding ground for disease-causing fungi like snow molds.

Piled-up leaves cause other problems too:

Unwanted pests: That carpet of leaves invites mice, snakes, and spiders looking for shelter.
Clogged gutters and blocked drains: Leaves clog gutters and block storm drains, so clearing them protects your home from water damage and flooding.
Lawn diseases: Matted leaves keep the lawn damp, which is what snow molds thrive on. Clearing leaves keeps that moisture from building up in the first place.

So choose your leaf removal method: raking, blowing, or mulch mowing. Any of them works, as long as the grass ends up exposed.

2. Getting rid of dead plants and weeding helps in gardens

Removing weeds from flower beds helps prevent pests and diseases. Photo Credit: Maksim Kostenko / Adobe Stock

Remove the dead and diseased parts of your plants in flower beds to protect them. Clearing spent annuals before winter also keeps pests and disease-causing fungi from settling in, since they love decomposing plant matter.

Pulling weeds now lets your plants grow next spring without competition.

3. Pruning dead tree branches makes your yard safer

Pruning a tree branch — Prune dead and dying tree branches. Photo Credit: encierro / Adobe Stock

Removing dead and dying branches makes your yard safer, especially in areas with heavy snowfall. Snow buildup can snap brittle branches, which may damage your roof, siding, gutters, windows, or even you.

Prune dead branches in fall, but save aesthetic bush trimming for winter and early spring dormancy. Cutting dead wood now works because you’re not cutting living tissue, the Montana State University Extension says. That means the tree isn’t losing anything it needs.

4. Mulching adds a layer of insulation for your plants

Spreading wood mulch around plants — Mulch helps protect plants from cold winter temperatures. Photo Credit: Jon / Adobe Stock

A fresh layer of mulch insulates the soil and prevents extreme temperature swings. Think of it as a down comforter that protects your greenery from the freeze and thaw cycles that can push plants out of the ground.

Tyler Mainka, president of Best Bark Mulch in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, says the purpose of mulch is about protecting roots, not about helping the plants to grow in the offseason.

“The layer of mulch acts as an insulation against the extreme cold or a winter season (depending on where you live) where it is going through freezing/thaw cycles. Those types of cycles actually can damage roots if they are not insulated at all,” he says.

Mulching and mulched leaves also return nutrients to the soil as they break down, improving its health and fertility over time.

Mainka says you just have to add the right amount.

“For bark mulch, maintaining the 2-3 inch standard layer is enough for most plants,” he says. “Adding more isn’t really adding anymore protection for the roots.”

5. Dethatching in fall will help new grass grow in spring

Dethatching a lawn with dethatcher — Dethatching a cool-season lawn in fall helps grass grow thick in spring. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Dethatching in fall removes excess thatch and loosens the soil so new grass can grow in spring. Thatch is the layer of dead grass, roots, and organic debris that builds up between the green blades and the soil surface.

Mike Marlow, co-founder/owner at Heros Lawn Care in Omaha, Nebraska, says removing thatch is one of the most important fall lawn care tasks.

“If you leave a heavy layer of dead grass and wet leaves sitting there all winter, it can hold moisture and cause problems for the grass underneath,” he says.

To check for excess thatch, dig out a small soil sample and measure the spongy layer between grass and soil: more than half an inch can foster pests and diseases and block air, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots.

Fall is the ideal time for cool-season grasses, which are actively growing and can recover from the disturbance. Warm-season grasses are heading into dormancy, so don’t dethatch until spring.

6. Less spring work and a neater, healthier yard

Fall yard cleanup lessens spring yard work because you finish the season’s biggest chores early. Prepping a yard for spring usually means removing dead plants and raking away leaves and debris, and you’ve already handled all of that in fall.

Fall cleanup also heads off diseases, pests, and weeds, which saves you time and money treating them later. Healthy plants leave you with less to fix.

7. A neater, more beautiful yard

Neat front yard with hydrangeas — Your yard will spring back quickly in spring if you clean the yard in fall. Photo Credit: Jamie Hooper / Adobe Stock

Completing fall yard cleanup makes your yard neat and beautiful in spring, boosting curb appeal and making it more enjoyable to spend time in.

An unkempt yard drags down your curb appeal, too. And if you belong to an HOA, a messy yard can put you on the wrong side of its rules.

FAQs

What can I do with fall leaves after raking them?

Turn them into compost or leaf mold, shred them into a natural mulch, or mow them back into the lawn.

Check your local municipality for rules about yard waste pickup. You may need special leaf bags or a yard waste bin, and some cities will vacuum leaf piles lined up at the curb.

Can I still do a fall cleanup if snow has already fallen?

You can, but wait for a dry window when snow has melted, since raking or mowing frozen, snow-covered grass can tear the crowns and leave bare patches. If snow stays put, prioritize clearing gutters and pruning heavy branches and save leaf work for a thaw.

The ideal time to do fall yard cleanup is in October or November, before the first frost and snowfall.

How often should I clean or maintain my tools after a fall cleanup?

Rinse off sap and debris, dry the blades, and wipe pruners and mower blades with a light oil before storing them for winter. This prevents rust and keeps cutting edges sharp for spring.

Hire a local yard cleanup pro this fall

Should you DIY or hire a professional for your fall yard cleanup? With the time, tools, and a free weekend, most of these tasks are easy to do. If you’d rather spend the season with family, Lawn Love can connect you with a pro.

Weigh it against the cost: The average cost of professional yard cleanup is $180. If a job that size would take you a full weekend and gear you don’t own, hiring out often pays for itself in time saved.

Main Photo Credit: katrin888 | Adobe Stock Free | License

Janine Caayao

Janine Caayao has always been fascinated with growing plants, from fruits and veggies to bonsai trees and orchids. Now, she’s interested in urban gardening with her family. She loves finding new tips and tricks to keep their plants thriving.

Posts by Janine Caayao

7 Benefits of a Fall Yard Cleanup