Do I Need To Do Anything For My Yard In The Fall?

Fall is more than just crisp air, colorful leaves, and pumpkin spice, it’s also one of the most important times of year for your landscape. Taking care of a few key tasks now will set up your yard for success next spring and beyond. Here’s a simple fall checklist to guide you:

• Keep Leaves in Check: Rake or mulch leaves regularly. If mulching, use your mower to shred them into smaller pieces that can decompose into the soil.
  When: Rake or mow weekly throughout fall until trees are bare.
  Why: A thick layer of leaves blocks sunlight and traps moisture, leading to turf damage. Mulched leaves, on the other hand, recycle nutrients back into your lawn.
  • Pro Tip: Mulching is better than bagging! Shredded leaves break down into organic matter, enriching your soil naturally.
    
• Schedule a Core Aeration: Have a professional remove small plugs of soil to relieve compaction and allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate.
  When: Fall is ideal, after summer stress but before the ground freezes.
  Why: Aeration keeps healthy lawns thriving and gives struggling lawns a chance to strengthen their root system.
  • Pro Tip: Pair aeration with overseeding, those new seeds will settle perfectly into the holes for thicker turf next spring.
    
• Apply Fall Fertilizer: Use a high-quality, slow-release fertilizer designed for fall application.
  When: Shortly after aeration for best results.
  Why: Fall feeding supports root development and prepares grass to green up quickly in spring.
  • Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it, more fertilizer won’t make your lawn greener. Timing and the right product matter more than quantity.
    
• Control Weeds Before Winter: Apply targeted herbicides or let professionals treat beds and turf.
  When: Early fall while weeds are still actively growing.
  Why: Tackling weeds now reduces their seed production and prevents them from getting a head start next year.
  • Pro Tip: Weeds are most vulnerable in fall as they draw nutrients down to their roots. That’s why treatments are extra effective now.
    
• Prune Select Shrubs and Trees: Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches with clean, sharp pruners. Avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering shrubs.
  When: Late fall, once plants have gone dormant.
  Why: Proper pruning promotes healthier growth, prevents damage from snow load, and improves plant structure.
  • Pro Tip: Hold off on cutting back spring-blooming shrubs (like lilacs, forsythia, and rhododendrons). These set their flower buds the previous summer, and pruning in fall removes next year’s blooms. For best results, prune them right after they finish flowering in spring.
    
• Plant Bulbs for Spring Color: Dig holes about 2–3 times deeper than the bulb’s height, place bulbs pointy side up, and cover with soil.
  When: Mid-to-late fall before the ground freezes.
  Why: Tulips, daffodils, and other bulbs planted now will burst into color as one of the first signs of spring.
  • Pro Tip: For a natural look, scatter bulbs randomly and plant them where they land, no ruler-straight rows required.
    
• Add Fresh Mulch: Spread a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and perennials, without piling it against trunks.
  When: Late fall, after cleanup but before the first hard frost.
  Why: Mulch helps insulate plant roots, regulate soil temperature, and lock in moisture.
  • Pro Tip: Keep mulch pulled back a few inches from tree trunks, “mulch volcanoes” trap moisture and invite pests.
    
• Cut Back Perennials: Trim spent stems down to a few inches above ground, except for plants that provide winter interest (like ornamental grasses).
  When: After frost has killed the foliage.
  Why: Cutting back tidies up your beds and helps prevent disease and pests from overwintering.
  • Pro Tip: Leave seed heads on coneflowers and black-eyed Susans, they add winter beauty and provide food for birds.
    
• Protect Sensitive Plants: Wrap young trees, evergreens, or tender shrubs with burlap or protective covers. Water evergreens thoroughly before the ground freezes.
  When: Before the first deep freeze or heavy snow.
  Why: Protection shields plants from harsh winds, sunscald, and heavy snow damage.
  • Pro Tip: Don’t wrap too tightly, plants need airflow to avoid trapping moisture, which can cause rot.
    
• Plan Ahead for Next Year: Walk your landscape and make notes of what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d like to change.
  When: While it’s still fresh in your mind this fall.
  Why: Fall is the perfect time to dream up ideas, book projects early, and be at the top of the schedule for spring installations.
  • Pro Tip: Take photos of areas you want to improve, it’s easier to remember your ideas when you revisit them in winter.
    

Fall sets the stage for spring success. A little effort now means a healthier, more beautiful landscape waiting for you after winter.

If you’d like help with any of these tasks, Reder Landscaping is here to make it easy! Call 989-835-8260 or click here to request a consultation and quote your fall landscape care!