How Can I Make My Landscape Look Better This Fall?
Fall in Michigan is one of the most breathtaking times of year. The brilliant foliage, crisp air, and cozy evenings make spending time outdoors a treat. But as the seasons change, your landscape needs a little extra attention to keep looking its best. With a few key updates, you can enhance your yard’s curb appeal now while also setting it up for success in the spring.
Here are some of the best ways to refresh your landscape this fall:
1. Add Seasonal Color
Autumn is the perfect season to bring in rich, warm colors that match the beauty of Michigan’s changing leaves. Fall favorites like mums, asters, and ornamental kale add bold pops of color in garden beds or containers. Place them by your front door or patio for an instant seasonal welcome. For extra charm, pair plants with decorative gourds, pumpkins, or even rustic lanterns. These small touches not only brighten your landscape but also create that inviting, cozy feeling that makes fall so special.
2. Keep Up With Leaf Cleanup
The fall colors are stunning, until they land on your lawn. A blanket of leaves left too long can block sunlight, trap moisture, and even suffocate your grass, leading to bare patches in the spring. Regular raking or mulching keeps your yard tidy and your lawn healthy. If you have a mulching mower, chopping leaves back into the grass can also return valuable nutrients to the soil. Think of it as both clean-up and natural fertilizer all in one step.
3. Refresh Your Mulch
Mulch does more than make your planting beds look neat and polished. In fall, it helps insulate plant roots against fluctuating temperatures and locks in soil moisture. A fresh layer also creates a clean backdrop for colorful perennials, pumpkins, or decorative displays. Choose a dark, rich mulch to really make your fall flowers and foliage pop, it’s a simple upgrade that can dramatically boost curb appeal.
4. Plant for Spring Success
Fall is one of the best times to plant. With cooler air and warm soil, new trees, shrubs, and perennials can focus on root development instead of battling summer heat. That means they’ll be stronger and healthier come spring. It’s also the season to tuck bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths into the ground. While you won’t see results right away, planting now guarantees a cheerful burst of color after a long Michigan winter. Think of it as an investment in next year’s beauty.
5. Tidy Edges and Beds
Sometimes, it’s the finishing touches that make the biggest difference. Taking time to edge your garden beds, prune back spent flowers, and trim overgrown shrubs instantly gives your yard a clean, well-kept look. Removing dead or tired plants also makes room for seasonal accents, like pansies or ornamental grasses that thrive in cooler weather. By the time the leaves hit peak color, your landscape will look polished and ready to show off.
6. Add a Cozy Feature
Fall evenings practically beg for outdoor gathering. Adding a feature like a fire pit, outdoor fireplace, or even a set of string lights extends your enjoyment of the season. Imagine sipping hot cider with family by a fire or enjoying the glow of warm lighting while surrounded by autumn colors. These features don’t just make your landscape look better—they make it more livable and enjoyable all season long.
The bottom line: Fall is the season of transformation, and with a few thoughtful updates, your landscape can be just as stunning now as it is in the height of summer. Whether it’s seasonal color, fall planting, or adding cozy outdoor features, there are plenty of ways to refresh your space. And if you’d like help bringing your fall landscape vision to life, Reder Landscaping is here to make it happen.
Don’t let another season pass you by! Our team is ready to begin your landscape transformation journey with you. Get started today and give your new landscape the healthiest beginning. Get started, call 989.835.8260 or click here. We look forward to hearing from you!