Over the years, you’ve put love and care into your yard and now it’s time to prepare it for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Smith Brothers Landscape is here to provide expert tips on what needs to be done to ensure your garden and landscaping thrive next year. From pruning the right plants to preventing weeds and planning for spring blooms, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get your yard ready for the changing seasons together!
When to Start Pruning
The crisp fall air signals the time to start thinking about pruning your plants for the winter. Proper timing is important to ensure the health of your garden. Understanding when to start pruning and which plants to focus on can make a big difference in the success of your yard cleanup efforts.
Timing is Everything
Pruning is best done after a few hard frosts, typically in November and December in Central Illinois, zone 5, 6, and 7. This ensures that your plants are dormant, reducing the risk of harm. Waiting until after the frosts also allows the plants to prepare for the winter, setting the stage for a healthy bloom in the spring.
Which Plants to Prune
In the matter of fall pruning, focus on flowering perennials such as daylilies, salvia, coneflowers, and Lyth rum. These plants can be cut all the way back to the ground, allowing new growth to emerge in the spring. However, it’s important to avoid pruning spring or summer flowering shrubs like hydrangeas, lilacs, and azaleas in the fall. These shrubs set their new flower buds shortly after flowering, so pruning in the fall risks cutting off the flowers for the next year.
What Not to Prune
If you’re wondering what plants you shouldn’t prune back in the fall, it’s important to know that certain spring and summer flowering shrubs fall into this category. Plants like hydrangeas, lilacs, and azaleas should not be trimmed in the fall. These shrubs set their new flower buds shortly after they finish flowering each year. For the best results, you should prune them right after their flowers have bloomed. Avoid cutting back these plants in the fall, as you might inadvertently remove the buds for the next year’s blooms.
Spring and Summer Flowering Shrubs
Spring and summer flowering shrubs, such as hydrangeas, lilacs, and azaleas, should not be pruned back in the fall. These shrubs set their new flower buds shortly after they are done flowering each year, so it’s crucial to avoid trimming them during this season. Pruning these plants right after they have bloomed will ensure that you don’t accidentally remove the buds for the following year, allowing them to flourish with vibrant blooms as intended.
Why Timing Matters
To maintain the health and vitality of your plants, timing is crucial when it comes to pruning. Pruning at the right time ensures that you don’t disrupt the natural growth cycle of your plants or hinder their ability to bloom beautifully in the following season. By understanding when to prune and which plants to leave untouched during the fall cleanup, you set the stage for a thriving garden come spring.
It’s vital to remember that certain plants have specific pruning requirements based on their flowering patterns. By adhering to these guidelines, you help your plants thrive and bloom to their full potential, enhancing the overall beauty of your yard and landscape.
Dealing with Clippings
Despite the satisfying feeling of having pruned back your perennials and trimmed your plants, the next step in your fall yard cleanup is dealing with the clippings. Raking up the clippings and any remaining leaves and weeds is crucial to ensure a clean and healthy garden for the winter months.
Raking Leaves and Weeds
Raking out the leaves and weeds from your planting beds is crucial to prevent the build-up of mold and to allow your plants to thrive in the coming seasons. By removing the debris now, you are setting yourself up for an easier spring cleanup. Make sure to thoroughly clean out any pesky weeds, ensuring to remove as much of the root system as possible to prevent their return in the spring.
Preparing for Spring Cleanup
Spring cleanup will be a breeze if you take the time to properly prepare your garden in the fall. Applying a pre-emergent weed control and a slow-release fertilizer now will strengthen your plants’ roots and help them come back stronger and healthier next season. Keeping your tools clean and sharp is also important. A sharp pair of pruners will make your gardening tasks much more efficient and effective.
At Smith Brothers Landscaping, we understand that yard cleanup can be overwhelming, especially if you have a large yard. Our team is here to help you with all your garden cleanup needs, from weeding and leaf raking to trimming and removal. By investing in our services, you can ensure that your yard will be beautifully maintained throughout the fall and ready to bloom come spring.
Many gardeners overlook the benefits of fall planting for spring blooms. This is a key time to plan and plant in order to have a colorful garden come springtime. Pertaining to selecting the right perennials for your garden, consider factors such as your garden’s sunlight exposure, soil type, and water requirements. Fall planting allows these plants to establish their root systems during the cooler temperatures and more frequent rains, which sets them up for a successful growing season in the spring.
Choosing the Right Perennials
Fall is the perfect time to choose and plant early flowering perennials that will bring vibrancy to your garden in the spring. Some great options include Baptisia, Creeping Phlox, Irises, Tradescantia, and Peonies. These plants thrive when planted in the fall, as the cooler temperatures give them the ideal conditions to establish strong root systems.
Benefits of Fall Planting
To benefit the most from fall planting, it’s crucial to select the right plants that are suited for your garden’s conditions. By planting in the fall, you give your flowers and shrubs a head starts on growth in the spring. This early establishment allows the plants to focus on root development without the stress of extreme temperatures.
It is necessary to plant in the fall to ensure a healthy and successful growing season in the spring. The cooler temperatures are ideal for root growth, and the plants will be ready to burst into bloom when the warmer weather arrives. Take advantage of the benefits of fall planting to create a colorful and thriving garden for the upcoming season.
Preventing Weeds Next Spring
Pre-Emergent Weed Control
Your best defense against pesky weeds rearing their unwanted heads in your garden next spring is to apply a pre-emergent weed control after completing your fall yard cleanup. By taking this proactive approach, you can save yourself time and effort in the future by preventing weeds from taking over your beautiful landscaping. Make sure to apply the pre-emergent weed control according to the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
Slow-Release Fertilizer
The use of a slow-release fertilizer after your fall yard cleanup can do wonders for the health and vitality of your plants. This type of fertilizer provides a steady, consistent supply of nutrients to your plants’ root systems over an extended period of time, promoting strong growth and resilience. It’s best to apply the slow-release fertilizer as directed on the package, ensuring that your plants have everything they need to thrive during the upcoming season.
It’s important to feed your plants with slow-release fertilizer in the fall to help them establish strong root systems before winter sets in. This will set them up for success when spring arrives, allowing them to bounce back quickly and bloom beautifully.
Winter Care
Keep your landscaping looking its best even through the winter months with proper care and maintenance. As the temperatures drop, it’s important to consider how to protect your plants and prepare your yard for the colder months ahead.
To Cover or Not to Cover
Covering your plants during the winter months can be a tricky decision. However, if you have plants that are only marginally hardy, it may be worth piling a bit of extra mulch around them for added protection. Avoid covering plants that are already hardy in your zone, as this can sometimes do more harm than good.
Mulching and Hardy Plants
The fall is a great time to mulch your garden beds to enrich your soil. Decaying leaves can create a natural mulch, but if you don’t have a compost pile, it’s best to remove the leaves to prevent mold and maintain the health of your grass. In terms of winter care, focus on hardy plants that can withstand the colder temperatures without needing extra protection. This will save you time and energy in the long run.
Another important aspect of winter care is to ensure that your plants have a strong root system. Applying a slow-release fertilizer in the fall will help strengthen the roots and aid in healthy growth come spring.
This winter care advice is meant to help you maintain a healthy and vibrant yard year-round. For more specialized services, consider reaching out to Smith Brothers Landscape for expert assistance with your yard cleanup and winter care needs.
Leaf Management
Raking vs. Mulching
Now, when it comes to managing the leaves in your yard during fall cleanup, you may be torn between raking them up or mulching them. On one hand, mulching the leaves when you mow your lawn can provide a natural mulch that enriches your soil as they decay. However, this process takes time. Alternatively, removing the leaves entirely creates a clean look for your yard and prevents the development of mold, ultimately benefiting the health of your grass and its growth. Standing leaves can also attract garden pests, so it’s imperative to consider the best option for maintaining a healthy yard.
Preventing Mold and Pests
Any decaying leaves in your yard can become an eyesore if not managed properly. To prevent the formation of mold and deter garden pests from taking up residence in your leaf pile, it’s advisable to remove the leaves entirely. Mold growth can negatively impact the health of your yard and potentially harm your plants. By removing the leaves, you are taking a proactive step towards maintaining a clean and pest-free outdoor space.
Getting Help with Yard Cleanup
All lawn care services can be a big help to you when it comes to preparing your yard for the fall and winter months.
Lawn Care Services
Any lawn care services you may need, such as cleaning up leaves, trimming, or removing debris, can be handled efficiently by the experienced team at Smith Brothers Landscaping. By seeking their help, you can rest assured that your yard will be well-prepared for the changing seasons, with all necessary tasks completed in a timely manner.
Designer Landscapes to the Rescue
Services from Smith Brothers Landscaping can include weeding, leaf raking, trimming, and removal of debris, among other tasks related to yard cleanup. For instance, you can opt to add cleanup services to their annual lawn mowing and lawn care offerings, ensuring that your outdoor space remains pristine throughout the year.
To Wrap Up
To ensure that your garden and landscaping thrive next year, proper yard cleanup in the fall is necessary. Remember to prune back flowering perennials and ornamental grasses but avoid trimming spring or summer flowering shrubs. Cleaning out the beds, planting for spring blooms, preventing weeds, and removing leaves are all crucial tasks to tackle. If you find the workload overwhelming, consider enlisting the help of professionals like Smith Brothers Landscape Services to assist with your yard cleanup needs.
