Fall Garden Chores You Should Do

 

Chore #1: Gather Up the Fallen Leaves, Twigs, and Other Debris.

Why? If you leave all those fallen leaves on your lawn they're going to bear down on your lawn and at some point disintegrate right into a thick layer of thatch you will need to remove later. Not only that, the accumulation of fallen leaves can act as hiding spots for pests and foster fungal diseases. To avoid future problems it is best to rake up any fallen leaves on a regular basis. You could consider turning them into mulch and leaving some of them on your grass to provide nutrients to your lawn.

Chore #2: Clean Out Your Gutters

Speaking of fallen leaves, many of them will end up in your gutters causing serious water overflow when it rains. But be careful, cleaning out gutters can pose a danger to you if you are not careful. For those readers that live in areas where it snows, take note, thawing ice and snow will pose additional problems for leave clogged gutters. So, to prevent water intrusion from overflowing gutters be sure to keep them clean. Consider the investment of gutter guards to avoid problems in the future.

Chore #3: Prune & Trim.

Now is the best time to remove any dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth next spring. However, the reason for trimming back trees and bushes isn't just for aesthetics -- dead tree branches in the fall can run the risk of dropping during high winds (or freezes) in the winter month causing damages to people and property. Another good reason to prune back trees and shrubs is to prevent them from overshadowing lawn areas causing the grass to die. In many cases it is best to prune when the plant has entered a dormant stage, so be sure that you know what you are doing.

Chore #4: De-Thatch and Re-Seed Your Lawn

The harsh heat of the summer month may have caused burn spots and thatch build-up in your lawn. Pets may have caused some damage too. Now is the perfect time to get rid of thatch and reseed with a seed mixture that is complementary to the type of grass you have. Of course, if you really want to do your lawn a big favor you should aerate it too.

Chore #5: "Winterize" Your Sprinkler System.

This may not apply for our friends in the warm climate States such as California but most certainly important in areas where it can freeze. The main reason to "winterize" a sprinkler system is when water freezes and expands damages to the pipes can and will occur. To prevent this from happening, drain all water from the system and close all drainpipe shut-offs. You can watch a video on how to do this right here.

Chore #6: "Winterize" Your Garden Tools

Once you know that you are done with your gardening chores it's time to put away your tools. Give them a good clean, sharpen those blades and drain the gas from your mower so you can store it away safely. In the spring you will be happy to know that your tools are ready for you.

No doubt, there is always something to be done in a garden. Breaking up chores into smaller pieces will make them seem less insurmountable and overwhelming.

Regular lawn care is an important aspect of a "happy garden" and can easily be outsourced to a local service provider such as Shamrock Landscape in Benicia, Ca. Of course, you could spend your precious time doing it yourself but why would you.  Their weekly or bi-weekly services are very affordable and your lawn will be in good hands. Just give them a call at (707) 647-2000.