Fall is in the air, and that means it’s time to prepare your yard for cooler temperatures, changing weather, and winter dormancy. While it’s easy to add fall plants and decor for those classic pops of autumnal color, putting in a little extra time on your lawn and perennials now will pay off with gorgeous colors and new growth next spring. Last but certainly not least, we’ve also included some tips for winterizing and protecting hardscaping, tools, and equipment to help you avoid last-minute trips to the home center as winter retreats (shopping for spring annuals is, of course, excepted!).

Sow Seeds and Add New Plants

Plenty of vegetables and ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs thrive in cool fall temperatures. The key to transplanting is to get plants, trees, and shrubs into the soil before it freezes, which allows time for roots to become established before winter dormancy and frost.

• Sow fall flower seeds including pansies and violas, or plant hardy mum transplants.
• Plant vegetables from starters or from seed. Hardy options include:
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Chard
  • Radishes
  • Carrots and parsnips
  • Lettuce and leafy greens
• Spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and ornamental alliums need a period of cold underground in order to grow and bloom in spring - now’s the time to get them planted.

Add Seasonal Decor

Whether you can’t wait to set up your 12 ft. tall skeleton and haunted house, or your tastes lean more toward pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales, fall decor is a great way to add visual interest and seasonal color to any yard. And it’s just plain fun, too! In addition to flowering plants or trees and shrubs that naturally change color, elements like landscape glass, decorative rock, and outdoor pottery draw the eye with color and shape. 

Continue to Mow and Feed Your Lawn

In many zones, grass keeps growing into the fall months, and still benefits from a trim and some nourishment.

• As long as it’s actively growing, continue to mow your lawn. Cut the grass up to ½ inch shorter than you typically do for spring and summer, which will help prevent disease.
• Rake leaves regularly so they don’t compact and trap moisture.
• Fight soil compaction and give grass roots some extra oxygen by aerating your lawn with a push roller aerator.
• Fertilize your lawn to give roots a boost before temperatures drop. Use a high-nitrogen blend in early fall, and one high in phosphorus in late fall.
• Add a layer of compost to your lawn and planting beds to reinvigorate soils. We carry high-quality compost in our online store.

Mulch and Topdress Beds and Lawn Areas

Mulch helps regulate soil temperatures as they change, retains moisture, and protects the underground microbiome. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch applied to beds in the fall protects plant roots and breaks down over time, releasing nutrients into the soil. Minick offers several varieties and colors to suit just about any aesthetic. 

Topdressing beds and lawns now, before the grass and other plants die off or go dormant, keeps them from drying out over the winter. A mix of topsoil, sand, and compost is best, and Minick Materials provides all of these, along with a wide variety of mulches and crushed stone products for lawns and beds. Our team can also answer questions and give guidance on determining the best mix of topdressing materials and fall yard prep. 

Prune and Trim With Care

Removing dead and dying vegetation from your yard in fall keeps disease and rot at bay, though leaving a few branches or stems can provide a place for birds to perch or take cover. 

• Trim dead branches from shrubs and trees.
• Use caution when pruning plants that bloom on old wood, such as:
  • Bigleaf and Oakleaf Hydrangeas
  • Forsythia
  • Lilacs
  • Jasmine
• Remove dead annuals and any plants that are diseased or growing poorly.
• Divide and replant (or rehome) perennials like:
  • Hostas
  • Daylilies
  • Yarrow
  • Black-eyed Susans
  • Peonies
  • Purple Coneflower
  • Lamb’s Ears

Check Hardscaping and Water Features

Keep paver paths, stone patios, retaining walls, and other structures clean and functional, even as temperatures drop. 

• Clear leaves from stone or wooden surfaces to prevent mold, stains, or slips and falls.
• Inspect pavers for chips, cracks, signs of widening gaps, or low points. 
• Observe drainage patterns after it rains, paying close attention to areas where water or snow pools and how long it takes to drain away.
• Drain or cover ponds and fountains, and make sure exposed pipes or hoses are protected from the elements.

Clean, Store, and Winterize Tools and Equipment

These are the extra tasks that are, admittedly, a bit less exciting than planning a seasonal flower bed, but well worth the time spent. The payoff in spring is sharp, rust-free blades, clean spades and trowels, leak-free hoses, and gutters that don’t overflow. Whenever possible, store tools and hoses indoors or in a protected area that stays dry.

• Wash, dry, sharpen, and lightly oil hand and cutting tools to protect blades and surfaces from rust.
• Drain garden hoses and disassemble irrigation systems. Inspect them for leaks and faulty connections, which can worsen during storage. 
• Winterize outdoor spigots by shutting off their water supply, draining them, and removing attached hoses. If you’re in a particularly cold area, consider adding an insulating foam cover for extra protection.
• Remove leaves, twigs, and debris from gutters and downspouts.