The Fall Cleanup Checklist Most Homeowners Skip

Short answer: do the jobs that protect next spring

A good fall cleanup is not about making the yard look tidy in November. It is about protecting the lawn, plants and plumbing through winter, so spring starts with less work. Here is the list we walk through with customers, including the items most people skip.

You do not have to do it all in one weekend. Spread the work over a few weeks, and start with the items that get harder the longer you wait. Weather and first frost dates vary by region, so adjust the timing to your area.

Clear leaves, but do not bury the lawn

A light scatter of leaves is fine, and a mulching mower can chop them into small pieces that feed the soil. A thick, wet mat is a different story. It blocks light and air, smothers the grass, and can invite fungus. Rake or mulch regularly through the season instead of waiting for one big cleanup at the end.

Leaves also pile up in places people forget: around foundations, in window wells, on top of drains and in corners of the yard. Clear those too, since trapped moisture is hard on wood, concrete and low-lying plants.

Give the lawn one last good mow, feed and seed

Keep mowing as long as the grass is growing, and lower the blade a little for the last couple of cuts so long blades do not mat down under snow or leaves. Fall is a great time to overseed and feed a cool-season lawn, since the grass is putting energy into its roots. Follow product labels on any fertilizer, and check local rules about timing and runoff.

Cut back and clean up the beds

Remove spent annuals and any diseased plant material, and throw diseased leaves in the trash rather than your compost pile. Many perennials can be cut back after the first frost, though some, like ornamental grasses and plants with seed heads that feed birds, are fine left standing until late winter. Pull weeds before they set seed, then top up mulch to a depth of about two to three inches, keeping it back from stems and trunks.

Tender bulbs and potted plants may need to come inside or be moved to a sheltered spot, and fall is the time to plant spring bulbs. Check the planting depth on the package. Water new plantings well before the ground freezes, since dry roots are a common cause of winter losses.

Look up: trees and shrubs

Dead, cracked or hanging branches are much easier to spot once leaves drop. Dead limbs over the roof, driveway or play areas should be dealt with before winter storms and snow load make them a hazard. Small pruning jobs are fine for homeowners, but for large limbs or anything near power lines, hire a qualified tree service.

If you plant anything this fall, or put in stakes or a fence, call 811 a few days ahead so underground lines are marked. Fall is a good time to plant trees and shrubs, since cooler air and warm soil help roots settle in.

The skipped list: irrigation, hoses and tools

In climates with freezing winters, irrigation systems usually need to be shut off and drained or blown out before the first hard freeze, or water left in the lines can crack pipes and heads. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off exterior faucets if you can. Skipping this is the single most expensive item on the list, because a burst line often does not show until spring.

While you are at it, clean and sharpen mower blades, change the oil, and either add fuel stabilizer or run the tank dry before storing gas equipment. Clean shovels and pruners and wipe them with a little oil to prevent rust.

Gutters, drains and winter prep

Clogged gutters send water down the side of the house or freeze into heavy ice. Clear them after most of the leaves have fallen, and check that downspouts carry water well away from the foundation. If you hire a crew for any of this, ask what is included, since leaf removal, bed cleanup and haul-away are often priced separately.

Finally, take a walk around the yard with a notebook. Write down drainage spots, bare patches and plants that struggled this year. That list becomes your spring plan, and it is much easier to make while the season is still fresh.