Fall Landscaping Checklist: Expert-Approved Tasks for Your Yard

Fall is in the air and while it's nice to curl up on the couch to watch football, it’s also a great time to be outdoors. When it comes to your front yard and backyard, fall is a great time to do more than just rake your leaves. Planting in cooler weather allows for good root growth (roots grow best in cool soil) with a lower amount of water than what is necessary to nurture the same plants through spring and summer. Because of this, fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs and focus on landscape maintenance.

With this in mind, Bower & Branch designers put together some garden “to do’s” before the first frost arrives. These yard work tips will make sure your yard is in great health for next spring.

Care for Your Trees 

Fertilizing your trees in the fall is a smart way to give them a nutrient boost that will support strong, healthy growth in the coming year. As trees begin to go dormant, their energy shifts toward root development rather than leaf production. Applying fertilizer at this time ensures that the roots have access to essential nutrients, which are absorbed and stored for use during the spring growing season. Fall fertilization also helps strengthen trees, improving their resilience against winter stress and preparing them for a vibrant comeback in the spring.

Plant Trees 

Fall is a fantastic time to plant trees, offering several benefits that make it easier for your plants to thrive. The cooler temperatures and natural rainfall of the season provide an ideal environment for healthy growth, as trees enter a state of dormancy, focusing on root development rather than foliage. This natural dormancy reduces stress on the plants, while the warm soil temperatures of fall promote robust root growth, giving your trees a strong foundation for the coming spring. Additionally, fall planting requires minimal ongoing care—nature takes the lead, with cooler weather and regular rainfall reducing the need for frequent watering or artificial interventions. It's a "Plant It and Forget It" approach, allowing your trees to establish themselves with little effort on your part, ensuring long-term success. Check here for some more fall planting tips.

Plant Bulbs

As soon as the weather stays reliably chilly it’s time to think about planting bulbs. One thing to keep in mind - bulbs are WAY more forgiving than we all think. You can dig a hole, throw a handful of daffodils in and cover them up… no need to worry about their spacing or direction. They will come up and look like a lovely little natural grouping.

Dig & Divide Perennials

Fall is an ideal time to dig and divide perennials, giving your garden a fresh start for the next growing season. As plants begin to wind down after their summer growth, they become less stressed by the division process, allowing them to recover more easily. Dividing perennials helps rejuvenate tired plants, encourages more vigorous growth, and can prevent overcrowding. It’s also a great way to spread your favorite plants throughout the garden, or share with friends. By dividing and replanting now, you give these plants time to establish strong roots before the ground freezes.

Transplant Perennials

Transplant perennials or even shrubs that no longer fit in their location. Fall is a great time to give them a new home to thrive in.

Heel in any plants you purchased that haven’t yet found their forever home. If you leave them out of the ground in their pots the roots will likely freeze and they will struggle to come back in the spring. Get them in the ground now before it’s too late.

Transplant Ground Cover

Fall is the perfect time to transplant groundcover, allowing you to fill in gaps and create a more cohesive landscape. With cooler temperatures and increased rainfall, groundcovers have a better chance to establish strong roots before the growing season slows down. This is a great opportunity to take groundcover from a back-of-the-border or less noticeable area and use it to fill in bare spots, such as around your front door or pathways. By strategically relocating these plants, you can ensure a uniform, lush look throughout your garden. Plus, this helps maximize your plant coverage and create a more polished, professional appearance for your landscape.

Weed Your Garden Beds

Weeding in the fall is an important garden task that sets the stage for a healthier landscape next spring. Removing weeds before you lay down mulch ensures they won’t compete with your plants for nutrients or water during the colder months. Fall weeding also prevents weeds from going to seed and spreading throughout your garden. By tackling them now, you minimize the number of weeds that will sprout when the weather warms up again. Once you’ve cleared your garden of weeds, applying mulch provides an added layer of protection - which is our next task! 

Mulch 

Mulching in the fall is an essential step in preparing your garden for the colder months. Not only does a fresh layer of mulch act as a natural weed deterrent by blocking sunlight and preventing weed seeds from germinating, but it also provides vital insulation for your plants' roots. As temperatures drop, this protective barrier helps to regulate soil temperature, shielding roots from freezing conditions and ensuring healthier growth in the spring. Plus, as the mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil with nutrients, promoting long-term garden health

Compost

Composting in the fall is a fantastic way to give your garden beds a nutritional jumpstart for the spring. By tilling compost into your soil before winter, you allow it to break down naturally over the colder months, enriching your soil with vital nutrients that will support plant growth come spring. Compost acts as an organic mulch, improving soil structure, moisture retention, and overall plant health. It helps to replenish depleted soil, creating a fertile environment that promotes strong, healthy plants. Plus, adding compost in the fall reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, making it an eco-friendly choice for your garden.

Turn Off Sprinkler Systems

Turning off your sprinklers in the fall is an important step to protect your irrigation system. This safeguards your sprinkler system from potential freeze damage, which can cause costly repairs.

Plan Your Next Yard Project 

Fall is also a great time to start thinking about any landscaping changes you may want to make in the spring. Planning a project takes time. Even if you use Bower & Branch’s speedy professional landscaping service it still takes time to review the existing landscape, design improvements and budget the project. Starting in the fall or winter will give you enough time to plan comfortably and hit the ground running in the spring.

Happy landscaping!