Lawn Cleanup Tips to Keep Your Landscaping Healthy

How to Prep Your Lawn for the Winter Months

Winter is coming. Are you ready? Taking time to clean and prep your lawn now will give you a healthier, more vibrant property this spring.

Landscaping is a major investment. Protect yourself against the cooler Delaware and Pennsylvania weather with the following tips:

Trim Dead or Broken Branches

Take a walk around your property. Broken branches expend unnecessary energy for trees and shrubs, taking up precious water and minerals. Cut dead and shriveled leaves, flowers and other areas of the plant that don’t look healthy. Look up the variety of plant or tree before cutting, because brown leaves don’t necessarily mean a tree limb is dead. Some trees, such as evergreens and magnolias, turn brown and then green again.

Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

Check to make sure your gutters and gutter guards are clear from debris. Clear any clogs from downspouts and French drains to ensure adequate water runoff. You don’t want water getting caught, then freezing into ice and cracking your gutters in the winter. Power wash the gutters to make your home look like new. 

Evaluate Your Garage & Gear

Is your garage bursting at the seams? It’s a great time to clear it out. Remove old bikes and sports equipment, bulky mementos, or unnecessary yard ornaments now. Have a garage sale to give them a good home. If you don’t want to sell them, you can donate them to organizations such as Green Drop or the Salvation Army, which offer free pickup.

Assess Your Tools

While you’re clearing out your garage, look at your lawncare tools. Give your lawnmower, hedge trimmers, and other lawn equipment a quick inspection. Clean metal pieces to prevent rust. Check the wheels and other pieces for wear and tear. Toss or donate anything that’s unfixable or missing important parts.

Top Dress Your Lawn

Besides aeration, which should already have been completed, a thin layer of soil conditioner or compost spread over the lawn can help protect it in the coming months. Give your yard extra nutrients and cover with an extra layer. It also helps prevent disease and weeds.

Get an Expert Opinion

A professional landscaping firm can offer ideas for ways to upgrade your property. Give them a call before their busy spring season to get an expert opinion on areas you may have overlooked. You’ll have time to review and suggestions and decide which services you’d like to consider to make your home a haven all year round.