Gardening

As the seasons change, every homeowner knows the list of tasks around the house starts to grow. From packing away summer gear and prepping your home for colder weather to tackling that endless pile of leaves—fall brings a whole new set of responsibilities. But as you manage the hustle and bustle of seasonal changes, don’t forget to give your outdoor space the care it needs to thrive through the winter and beyond.

That’s where we come in. At The Gardener Landscaping, we understand how overwhelming fall can be. Whether it’s lawn care, pruning, planting for spring, or prepping your irrigation system for the cold months ahead, our expert team is here to help protect your property and ensure it’s ready to face the winter.

Read on to see how our services can save you time and effort while setting up your landscape for success next year.

Preparing Your Lawn For Winter

A healthy lawn next summer begins with the care you give it in the fall. We offer a range of services designed to strengthen your lawn’s root system and prepare it for winter’s harsh conditions. Here’s how we help:

• Aeration: Over time, your soil becomes compacted, especially in high-traffic areas. Aerating loosens the soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. This sets your lawn up for success by encouraging deeper root growth.
• Overseeding: If your lawn looks patchy or thin, overseeding is the solution. Adding new grass seed over existing turf fills in bare spots, thickens your lawn, and helps it resist weeds.
• Fertilization: Fall is the best time to fertilize. Our fall-specific fertilizer blend is designed to promote root development, helping your grass survive the winter and bounce back greener than ever in the spring.
• Weed Control: Weeds can choke out healthy grass, and fall is the best time to stop them in their tracks. By treating your lawn now, we prevent weeds from spreading and returning stronger in the spring.

Sod Installation

If your lawn has seen better days, fall is the ideal time for a fresh start with new sod. The cooler temperatures and increased rainfall in the fall make it the perfect season for sod installation. Here’s why:

• Root Establishment: Sod laid in the fall has time to develop strong roots before the winter freeze. The cooler weather reduces stress on the new sod, while the regular rainfall helps it settle in quickly.
• Immediate Impact: Unlike overseeding, which takes time to grow, sod gives you an instantly lush, green lawn. If your grass is beyond repair, sod installation is a quick solution to get your yard looking its best.
• Reduced Maintenance: With fewer hot days and less foot traffic, fall sod installation allows your lawn to take root with minimal effort. By spring, you’ll have a well-established, healthy lawn that requires less intensive care.

Hedge and Shrub Pruning & Trimming

Fall is also the perfect time to prune and trim your shrubs and hedges. After a season of rapid growth, your shrubs and hedges need a little attention. Here’s why pruning and trimming are essential before winter

• Trimming for Health: By removing dead or overgrown branches, we promote better air circulation and light penetration. This strengthens your plants and reduces the risk of damage from heavy snow and ice during the winter months.
• Shaping and Aesthetics: Pruning keeps your landscape looking neat and tidy. Thinning out overgrown plants and trees helps them maintain their shape and promotes healthy growth in the spring.
• Installations: If you’ve been considering adding new trees, hedgerows, or shrubs, fall’s cooler temperatures and consistent rainfall create the perfect conditions for planting. Your new plants will have the opportunity to establish a strong root system before winter.

Pool Winterization

Closing your pool properly is essential to protecting it from winter’s harsh elements. Our pool winterization service ensures that your pool is safe and secure during the colder months. Here’s what we do:

• Drainage and Chemical Balance: We’ll drain water to the appropriate level and add the necessary chemicals to maintain water quality throughout the winter, preventing damage to your pool liner and filtration system.
• Covering and Securing: We cover your pool to protect it from debris, freezing temperatures, and heavy snow. This step is crucial for preventing damage to your pool’s structure and avoiding costly repairs when it’s time to open again in the spring.

Fall Yard Clean-up

Our fall clean-up services ensure your property is ready for winter. Here’s a breakdown of what we do, plus a few winter tasks we often handle for our clients:

• Cut Back Perennials: We prune perennial foliage down to just a few inches from the ground and clear away any debris from your garden. This helps prevent disease and rot when early spring arrives. (If you’d prefer, we can leave your ornamental grasses standing to add some winter interest.)
• Remove Annuals: Our team will carefully go through your garden beds and planters, removing annuals—roots and all.
• Remove Leaves: When it comes to leaves, you have options! We can rake them into your garden beds to provide protection through the winter, though this will mean a bit more clean-up in the spring. Alternatively, we can remove them from your property, whichever you prefer for your property!
• Remove Garden Debris: Fallen branches, dead plants, and other garden debris can pile up during fall. We clear out your garden beds and lawn, removing debris to keep your space clean and prevent any pests or disease from overwintering in your garden.
• Cut Grass Low: For the final mow of the season, we lower your mower to 1.5–2 inches. After the first frost, your grass will begin to go dormant. Keeping it short through the winter helps reduce the risk of snow mould, leaving your lawn in better shape when spring arrives.
• (Add On) Trim Hedges & Shrubs: As the growing season slows, it’s time for one last trim and shaping of your hedges and shrubs. This keeps them looking tidy throughout winter. However, if you enjoy winter interest in your garden, we can leave plants like hydrangeas and perennial grasses standing to add texture during the colder months.

Mulch Installation

Fall is the perfect time to add a fresh layer of mulch to your garden beds. Mulch does more than just give your landscape a tidy, finished look—it also plays a critical role in protecting your plants through the colder months.

• Temperature Regulation: Mulch acts as an insulating layer, keeping your soil warmer during early frosts and cooler during unexpected warm spells. This protects the root systems of your plants, helping them withstand the changing temperatures.
• Moisture Retention: As fall brings cooler, drier air, mulch helps to lock in moisture, ensuring your plants get the hydration they need even as the weather cools down. This also reduces the need for additional watering, which is especially helpful during dry spells.
• Weed Suppression: Mulch provides a natural barrier against weed growth. By covering exposed soil, it blocks sunlight that weeds need to sprout, keeping your garden looking clean and reducing maintenance throughout the fall and winter months.
• Soil Enrichment: As organic mulches break down, they add valuable nutrients back into the soil. This process enriches your garden beds and supports healthier, more vigorous growth when spring arrives.

Boxwood Replacement: Combat the Boxwood Moth

Have you noticed damage to your Boxwood shrubs? The invasive Boxwood Moth is a serious threat this year. Fall is the perfect time to assess the health of your Boxwood and decide whether it’s time for a replacement.

• Pest Control Treatment: We offer spray treatments for Boxwood shrubs to stop infestations before they spread.
• Replacement: If your Boxwood has already suffered significant damage, we can recommend pest-resistant alternatives that suit your landscape’s needs.

Book Now to Get Ahead of Fall Landscaping

Fall may be one of the busiest seasons for landscapers, but it’s also the most important for ensuring your yard thrives through the winter and beyond. Don’t wait until the leaves are piling up—schedule your fall services with The Gardener Landscaping today and give your property the attention it deserves.