Summer is coming to a close, and it’s time to start thinking about fall yard preparation in Roanoke, VA. Cleaning up leaves, picking up fallen branches, and prepping your garden beds for winter are all important tasks to do for a healthy lawn.
Seasons Change
With the summer heat starting to die down, it is time to shift focus away from trying to keep your lawn watered and look toward the upcoming season’s needs. Fall brings windy weather, a thick layer of fallen leaves, and the start of cool weather. It is important to plan your fall yard preparation in Roanoke, VA, now to keep your lawn healthy and happy.
Leaves Are Falling
Fall is the season when you can expect leaves to blanket your lawn. Without intervention, they will suffocate your grass and begin to kill it within a few weeks. Left to overwinter, you will need to reseed or lay sod by the time spring rolls around. To prevent this headache, make sure to rake your yard weekly during peak leaf shedding time.
These leaves can be repurposed into mulch for your garden beds, turned into compost, or placed on the curb for the city or county to collect. If you find yourself unwilling or unable to collect your leaves, consider hiring a professional to do it for you.
Prep Your Beds For Winter
Many people only plant in the spring and give up on their garden beds by August. This is a mistake that costs gardeners both their fall harvests from midsummer plantings and a nutrient-rich soil for spring plantings.
Mid-July is the perfect time to seed your cool-weather crops like cabbage and broccoli. September is a great month to decide if you are going to plant some overwinter crops like garlic, plant a cover crop to retain soil nutrients, or add in leaf litter to your garden beds for some nice decomposition that will pack a punch come spring.
Stick Collection
Summer storms are no joke, and the fast winds often knock tree limbs loose onto your home and lawn. Collecting this debris can be a bit of a pain in the neck, but usually pays off in the form of some lovely fall campfires. Make sure that you stack any wood that you collect at least 20 feet away from your home or else risk annoying pests like stinkbugs invading your space. If they have already invaded, contact your local exterminator to evict them!
End of Summer Lawn Care in Virginia
Besides getting the leaves up, your lawn can be aerated in the fall for a better spring outcome. This aeration allows oxygen and water to penetrate the soil down to the roots of your grass and keep it healthy. While it is possible to try to do it yourself, we always recommend having a professional aerate your lawn for the best results.
Clean it Up!
Good fall yard preparation in Roanoke, VA, means thoughtfully considering your space and what attention it needs this fall before the winter hits. Thankfully, City Wide Landscaping Services has your back for all of your property maintenance needs.Contact us today to get started on your pre-fall landscaping checklist!