Fall is a magical time. As the weather begins to finally cool down, you can enjoy the changing colors, pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving, and much more. Just taking a walk around the block can give you plenty of sights to enjoy.
Because the weather is going to get bad, your lawn and garden are not looking forward to autumn. If you want them both to get through the colder months and look great come spring, then you have to do a little maintenance now before the weather turns nasty.
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Protecting Your Garden and Other Plants
Spring and summer are the best seasons for plants to grow and thrive, which is why the plants outside your home need some help. The Spruce has an excellent page of fall lawn care tips, such as:
●Keep the leaves away from your lawn and garden. Rake them, use a leaf blower, or mulch them up with a mower attachment, but getting rid of them prevents the plants from being smothered.
●Seed your lawn, especially on any bald spots, and keep them well watered.
●Rototill your garden’s soil in the fall, but don't overdo it.
●Cover the topsoil of your garden with mulch so there are more nutrients in the soil come spring.
What to Plant
As you prepare your existing plants for the colder months, it’s actually time to start planting new ones. Of course, not every plant should be planted now, which is why Better Homes & Gardens has a list of plants to use:
●Spring bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, and alliums are great to plant now so they start to come through earlier in spring.
●Planting pansies now gives them time to develop roots and return in the warmer weather.
●Add some cool-season vegetables like carrots, lettuce, spinach, or kale in August so they can be harvested later in the fall.
A great garden is one that’s full of colorful plants. That’s why HGTV recommends planting some perennials in the fall. Versions that bloom early in spring include hellebores, Pasque flowers, and violets. Other flowers that will look great in spring include early iris, spiderwort, phlox, and lungwort. You can even plant some shrubs that flower in spring like azalea, forsythia, and honeysuckle.
Preparing Hardscaping for Fall
The outside of your home is more than just plants. Chances are, you have walkways, a driveway, and stone borders. These do not need the same maintenance as with your plants, but they will struggle in winter as well.
To start, you need to check up on the hardscaping elements outside. These should be thoroughly cleaned before fall gets too cold. That usually means pressure washing, as this can get rid of sediment that damaged the hardscaping as it gets cold. If there are any cracks, fill these so the weather doesn’t make them worse.
Home Advisor explains fall is also a great time to add some hardscaping like retainer walls or even fountains. Whether it’s a major project or a small one, it can really add curb appeal to your home. Many homeowners go with stone since it’s easy to take care of (even before winter) and looks great with lots of landscaping choices.
Start Now for a Great Spring
Although fall will lead to bad weather and dull landscaping, spring isn’t that far away. That’s why you need to do some fall maintenance now. Keep your yard and garden clean, plant some perennials now, and clean your hardscaping. This way, your house can be the envy of everyone when spring finally arrives.
