Fall Yard Prep Tips to Get Your Plants Ready for Winter

With winter nipping at the heels, it’s time to start prepping your beautifully landscaped yard for the cold months ahead! 

No matter where you live, there are plenty of ways to ensure your plants are cozy and warm in case of a sudden freeze. It starts with taking the time to implement a thorough clean-up.

That way, by the time spring rolls around, your yard will be ready for a fresh start. Here are our best tips for prepping your fall yard for winter with a good cleaning session.

1. Start as soon as possible

The earlier in the fall that you can start shaping up your yard, the more enjoyable it will be. It’s the best time to be outside when the temperature isn’t too hot or cold. 

Plus, starting early minimizes the amount of work you’ll have to do come holiday season when things get busy and time is scarce.

2. Remove leaves 

The first task to complete for a clean and winter-ready yard is to de-thatch the layer of fallen leaves that, if too thick, can block out the sunshine and moisture that your grass needs to survive. 

You can do this the old-fashioned way by raking the leaves into piles or you can try vertical cutting (or hire a landscaper to do it for you).

3. Stop weeds from taking over

It’s important to apply a weed treatment over grass after de-thatching, as weeds can rob your plants of vital nutrients needed for proper hibernation. 

Also note that weeds and overgrown plants turn into the perfect warm hideaway for pests during winter, which results in a bigger mess to deal with come spring.

4. Insulate with mulch or gravel

Depending on where you live and how cold it gets, apply a layer of mulch of gravel around your plants to enhance insulation. 

You can even recycle the leaves you raked up by spreading them around your plants the same way, as this is also effective to keep them warm.