5 Fall Cleanup Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

As summer transitions into the fall season, a new list of to-dos for your yard comes into play. Cleaning up your property in the fall is very important for setting your yard up for success come spring and summer. Also, fall cleanup can help keep your grass and trees heathy, and it can help prevent issues such as water damage to your house. Keep reading for the five fall cleanup tips every homeowner should know.

Fall Cleanup Tips for Homeowners

1. Remove fall leaves from your grass.

While a blanket of fallen leaves may look beautiful in your yard, it can’t stay around forever. Leaves that sit for too long can kill the grass underneath, create a breeding ground for mosquitos, and cause fungus or mold.

2. Clean gutters and downspouts.

It’s very important to remove leaves, sticks and debris from your gutters. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water damage to both the interior and exterior of your home. Also, excess water that freezes in the winter can cause ice dams, cracks in your foundation, and serious roof damage. 

3. Prepare flower beds for winter.

Dispose of annual flowers and any other plants that are not meant to stick around all winter. Then, after the first frost, you can cut back the foliage on perennials such as peonies, hostas, irises, and daylilies.

4. Trim trees.

Late fall into early winter is a great time for trimming spruce, fir, Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock trees. With that being said, call a professional tree service company before trimming trees on your own. Licensed arborists, like Ivan’s Tree Service, are qualified to evaluate your trees and provide the best approach for care.

5. Wrap trees for winter.

Wrapping trees can help protect the trunks from hungry deer and ice damage throughout the cooler months. Tree trunk protectors, such as plastic wrap around tree bark, can help improve your tree’s overall health.

As we mentioned above, raking leaves, clearing gutters, and so on are important tasks that homeowners like you should be aware of when preparing your yard for fall. We also recommend that you to consider adding professional tree maintenance to your annual fall maintenance checklist to help prolong the life of your trees and shrubs. For assistance with getting your yard ready for winter, call Ivan’s Tree Service at 651-485-6870.