A Fall Cleanup does far more for your property than make it look tidy. It prepares your property for, and protects it from, damaging winter weather. Recent winters have come earlier and lasted longer, accompanied by bitter subzero cold and unprecedented warmer temperatures. The swings between these extremes and the prolonged season leave plantings, gardens and lawns vulnerable to harm.
Removing heavy accumulations of leaves from your lawn improves air flow. Deep drifts of of wet, dead leaves can cause your lawn to suffer moisture damage or grow mold.
Landscape stress is increased by bitter winds, fluctuating temperatures and, what seems to be the new winter normal of freeze/thaw cycles. Lawns, though dormant, can also suffer. A lack of consistent, insulating snow cover increases the risk of freeze damage and depletes nutrients needed for spring growth or could lead to lawn-killing thatch.
Landscape plantings and garden perennials are also more vulnerable to damage from the new winter “normal”. Protect them from harm by performing a through garden cleanup. Remove spent annuals and cut perennials back to the ground (unless you are leaving some standing for winter interest or bird food.). Healthy garden debris can be composted. Over the winter it will break down into nutrient dense compost to feed your garden in the Spring. Lay down a layer of insulating mulch to protect roots from temperature extremes and fluctuations.
Deer view your hedges and shrubs as a reliable food supply. Wrapping deer browse favorites in burlap or using A-frames will protect tasty plants from those hungry hedge trimmers! A-frames protect shrubs located along the driveway from plow damage and shields them from being crushed in snowbanks. A-frames also protect your foundation plantings from being damaged by snow sliding off the roof.
Leaves look pretty when they fall, but if not removed can cause problems for your lawn.