The benefits of fall yard cleanup include a stronger winter lawn, less spring yard work, fewer pests and diseases, and a safer yard. Fall yard cleanup also will prevent water damage from drainage issues.
Why you should do fall yard cleanup
Prepares your lawn for the winter months
Fall yard cleanup is part of lawn winterization, or the process of preparing your lawn for the winter. It’s important to winterize your lawn so that it’s as strong as it can be before the cold winter months come knocking on your door.
What happens if I don’t winterize my lawn? If you don’t prepare your lawn for the winter, don’t be surprised to find patches of dead grass, built-up mold, and otherwise diseased and weak grass in the spring.
The main culprit for this is fallen leaves. Leaves left on your lawn can suffocate your turf by depriving it of precious sun and air. This is especially true if the leaves get wet; if there’s enough of them, they can form a nigh impenetrable mat. They can trap the moisture too, which creates a breeding ground for disease-causing fungi like snow molds.
Protects your plants
Performing fall yard cleanup can bring attention to dead and dying plant parts. Removing these dead and diseased parts protects your plant from further damage.
While it’s not recommended to trim and prune live bushes, trees, and perennials during the fall, the Montana State University Extension says that homeowners can prune dead branches in fall because you won’t be cutting into living tissue. If you’re cutting for aesthetic reasons, it’s best to trim when the plants are dormant (late winter and early spring).
Note: Make sure you’re cutting dead tissue. Don’t cut healthy tissue. If you can’t remove dead branches and stems without hurting living tissue, wait until the plant goes dormant.
Removing dead and dying branches also makes your yard safer, especially if you live in an area with heavy snowfall (such as the Northeast). Snow buildup can snap healthy branches off, so imagine what it can do to brittle, dead branches. If you’re really unlucky, a branch may damage your roof, siding, gutters, windows, or even you.
To learn more about how to prune your plants properly, you can check out these articles:
Fall yard cleanup also includes mulching your garden beds and trees. Mulch has many benefits, such as insulating the soil and preventing extreme temperature fluctuations. This can prevent freeze and thaw cycles that can push plants out of the soil.
Clears space for new spring growth
Fall yard cleanup makes way for new growth in the spring. This goes for your lawn and your ornamentals.
For your lawn, removing leaves and debris prevents smothering that can choke new growth. Fall yard cleanup can also include aeration and dethatching, which removes excess thatch and loosens the soil. Excess thatch and soil compaction can make it difficult for new grass to grow.
For your garden beds, removing weeds will allow your plants to grow without competition in the spring.
Prevents diseases
Since matted leaves can keep your lawn very moist, they can invite lawn diseases. Naturally, cleaning your yard by removing leaves and debris can prevent lawn diseases from taking a hold on your grass.
Removing spent annuals before winter also prevents pests and diseases from settling in your flower beds. Pests and disease-causing fungi love decomposing dead plants.
Lessens spring yard work
Prepping your yard for spring involves removing dead plants and raking your lawn free of debris and leaves, among other duties. Many of these tasks can be done (or at least started) in the fall, so there is less to do in spring.
Fall yard cleanup also prevents diseases, pests, and weeds, which saves you time and money treating them in the spring. There will be less for you to do if your plants are healthy.
Drives away potentially dangerous pests
Leaving leaf piles is good for beneficial insects and other animals who live in them during the winter months. However, you need to know that not all animals who overwinter in the leaf litter are harmless. Snakes, spiders, rodents, and pests can all call the leaf piles in your yard home.
While these animals also need a place to stay in the winter, you shouldn’t compromise your health and safety. You can leave piles of leaves in out of the way areas or under shrubs and hedges for critters to hide in during the winter months, but keep your lawn and areas you frequent clean.
Prevents drainage issues
Fallen leaves can clog gutters and block storm drains, which can spell disaster for your property during the rainy fall months. Clogged gutters can fail to direct water away from your home, which can lead to water damage. Blocked storm drains, on the other hand, can lead to flooding issues.
Makes your yard neat and beautiful
Lastly, performing fall yard cleanup results in beautiful and neat landscape. Your yard will be more inviting to stay and relax in if you’re sure you won’t get injured by animals hiding in grass or by slipping on wet leaves and debris.
Plus, a dirty yard can lower your curb appeal. Nobody wants to be known as the neighbor with a messy yard! You can even get in trouble with your HOA, who may have ordinances about keeping your yard clean.
FAQs about fall yard cleanup
What do I need to do for fall yard cleanup?
Here are the tasks that are commonly part of a fall cleanup routine:
- Raking fall leaves
- Removing weeds
- Maintaining garden beds (including preparing them for winter)
- Removing dead annuals
- Dethatching your lawn
- Aerating your lawn
- Adding mulch
- Pruning dead branches
- Regular fall lawn care duties like mowing
How much does it cost to hire a pro to clean my yard?
The cost of professional yard cleanup during the fall averages around $188 to $475. The cost is influenced by how much they have to clean and what exactly needs to be done.
What can I do with fall leaves?
There are many things you can do with fall leaves, such as turning them into nutritious compost or leaf mold, using them as mulch, or even repurposing them in arts and crafts projects.
You can read more ways to use them in our article, “What to Do With Fall Leaves on Your Lawn”.
Hire a pro to clean your yard this fall
Cleaning your yard during the fall is a whole season affair, but its benefits are well worth the effort. You get a stronger, healthier, and safer yard, as well as saving yourself from extra work in the spring. However, not all homeowners can spare time to perform a thorough fall cleanup.
That’s where Lawn Love can help. We have pros around the country who can clean your yard for you, so you can enjoy the fall season with your loved ones (or yourself). Hire a yard cleanup pro through Lawn Love today.
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Main Photo Credit: katrin888 | Adobe Stock Free | License