The 7 benefits of fall yard cleanup include a stronger winter lawn, less spring yard work, fewer pests and diseases, and a safer yard.
But what’s generally involved in a fall lawn care cleanup? Leaf cleanup, getting rid of dead and diseased plants, pruning dead branches from trees, and mulching to insulate plants from the cold. Most of these tasks are one-and-done in fall, though leaf removal may take up more of your weekends depending on where you live.
What do you need to get started to achieve the benefits of a fall yard cleanup? Grab your rake (or leaf blower or mulching mower), tree trimming tools, garden gloves for weeding, and a wheelbarrow for hauling mulch.
OK, here are the benefits of a fall yard cleanup:
- 1. Removing leaves keeps grass from suffocating
- 2. Getting rid of dead plants and weeding helps in gardens
- 3. Pruning dead tree branches makes your yard safer
- 4. Mulching adds a layer of insulation for your plants
- 5. Dethatching in fall will help new grass grow in spring
- 6. Fall yard cleanup lessens spring yard work
- 7. Makes your yard neat and beautiful
1. Removing leaves keeps grass from suffocating
Fall yard cleanup starts with raking, blowing, bagging, or mulching all those leaves.
Leaves left on your lawn can smother your grass by depriving it of sun and air. This is especially true if the leaves get wet. A thick mat of wet leaves can trap the moisture too, which creates a breeding ground for disease-causing fungi like snow molds.
Leaves piling up can cause other issues:
- — Unwanted pests: That carpet of leaves is inviting to mice, snakes, and spiders seeking shelter
— Clogged gutters and blocked storm drains: 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. - — Lawn diseases: Matted leaves can keep your lawn very moist, they can invite lawn diseases, like snow molds.
So choose your leaf removal method — raking, blowing, mulch mowing, or hire a Lawn Love local leaf removal crew. However you choose to handle leaf cleanup, it’s the biggest task on any fall yard cleanup checklist.
See Related:
— The Best Way to Remove Leaves (It Depends)
— Is It Better To Rake or Mulch Leaves?
2. Getting rid of dead plants and weeding helps in gardens
Remove the dead and diseased parts of your plants in flower beds to protect them.
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.
For your garden beds, removing weeds will allow your plants to grow without competition in the spring.
See Related:
— How to Winterize Your Garden
— How to Get Rid of Weeds in Flower Beds
3. Pruning dead tree branches makes your yard safer
Removing dead and dying branches makes your yard safer, especially if you live in an area with heavy snowfall. Here’s why: Snow buildup can snap off brittle, dead branches, which may damage your roof, siding, gutters, windows, or even you.
Pruning and trimming trees of dead branches makes sense in fall because you are not cutting living tissue, the Montana State University Extension says. (Trimming trees and bushes for aesthetic reasons is best in winter and early spring when the plants are dormant.)
See Related:
— When to Trim Bushes and Trees
— Difference Between Pruning and Trimming
4. Mulching adds a layer of insulation for your plants
Fall yard cleanup includes mulching your garden beds and trees. Mulch has many benefits, such as insulating the soil and preventing extreme temperature fluctuations.
Think of a fresh layer of mulch as a down comforter to protect your greenery from freeze and thaw cycles that can push plants out of the soil.
See Related:
— How to Fertilize Your Lawn With Mulch
— How to Protect Plants from a Freeze
5. Dethatching in fall will help new grass grow in spring
Dethatching removes excess thatch and loosens the soil. Excess thatch and soil compaction can make it difficult for new grass to grow.
How do you know if you have too much thatch? A little thatch is fine, but excess thatch (thicker than ½-inch) can foster pests and diseases, as well as prevent air, water, and nutrients from getting into the soil and the root system.
Fall is the ideal time to dethatch cool-season grasses because your grass is actively growing and can repair the damage that dethatching can do. Warm-season grasses will be heading into dormancy and should not be dethatched this season.
How do I check for thatch? To check for thatch, dig out a soil sample and measure the spongy layer between your grass and the soil. You can use a spade or a trowel to do this.
If your lawn’s thatch layer is too thick, dethatch your lawn. You can use a thatch rake for minor dethatching projects. For major thatch issues, we recommend using a power rake or vertical mower.
See Related:
— What is Dethatching?
— When to Dethatch Your Lawn
6. Fall yard cleanup lessens spring yard work
Doing a fall yard cleanup means there will be less to do to set your yard up for success in the spring. Why is that? Prepping your yard for spring involves removing dead plants and raking your lawn free of debris and leaves, among other duties.
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.
7. Makes your yard neat and beautiful
Checking off the fall yard cleanup tasks above makes your yard beautiful, inviting, and more enjoyable.
Plus, an unkempt yard can lower your curb appeal. You can even get in trouble with your HOA, which may have rules about keeping your yard clean.
FAQ About Fall Yard Cleanups
Mulching fall leaves returns nutrients to your soil, but you also can turn leaves into compost or leaf mold, or use leaves as a natural mulch.
Check your local municipality for rules about leaf removal and yard waste pickup. You also may need special leaf bags or to use a yard waste bin you fill and place at the curb. Some cities will vacuum piles of leaves lined up at the cub.
The cost of professional yard cleanup during the fall averages around $210 to $446. The cost is influenced by how much they have to clean and what exactly needs to be done.
Lawn Love customers can get a free price quote for a Fall Yard Cleanup in the app or by calling Customer Service.
DIY or hire a pro for your fall yard cleanup
Cleaning your yard involves a handful of one-and-done tasks (though leaf removal can seem a near constant chore in some parts of the country), but the benefits are 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.
Read Next:
— Lawn Love’s 10 Fall Lawn Care Tips
— How to Winterize Your Lawn
Sources:
Main Photo Credit: katrin888 | Adobe Stock Free | License
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Editorial Contributors
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Janine Caayao
Author
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.
Learn more -
Jeff Herman
Editor
Jeff Herman, editor-in-chief of Lawn Love, mowed lawns as a teen, and his uncle owned the biggest sod business in St. Louis. Previously, Herman worked at The New York Times and CreditCards.com.
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