It’s the best time of year to plan for prosperous spring growth – and this begins with understanding what each of your natural elements need for a healthy winter rest. There are a variety of strategies to successfully prepare your exterior for the winter, and though it can take time, the attention you spend in the autumn months will return to you exponentially once blossoming spring arrives.
During fall, our organic world continues its cycle of rebirth, and there are some key principles we can keep in mind to help the process along. As the chill sets in, it’s a reminder that the time for new growth is coming to an end, and attention should switch to best preserving what plants you have (gardens, lawns and shrubs, for example). Snow cover, harsh winds and subzero temperatures are formidable threats to even the most resilient of plants, and can be fatal for delicate roots if not properly cared for.
Pulling weeds to prevent further growth, and moving houseplants inside are essential measures – but we also recommend special attention to tasks like properly closing irrigation systems, managing vegetable and flower gardens, and trimming to best protect against destructive pests of all sizes.
And, of course, there are the leaves. Those beautiful fallen leaves in bronze and gold are surely lovely to look at, but they can quickly become a substantial problem if left piling up. Raking and composting leaves is absolutely necessary as the fall months progress. Removing these dead leaves is the best defence against damaging snow mold diseases, and also allows your lawn to absorb as much light as possible.
But it’s not just leaves – debris of all kinds like twigs or garbage, and fallen fruit should ideally be removed consistently through the autumn months to ensure that once the frost and ice arrives, your yard is clean and healthy for the spring ahead. Flower gardens and vegetable growth requires unique attention as well, including ensuring certain tender bulbs are removed and kept elsewhere.
The more elements you have on your property, the more complex your strategy may need to be. As living plants, each zone requires tailored care, with a variety of methods including wrapping, mulching and mounding as possible solutions. The rewards of taking the time are plentiful, and the difference noticeable! Not to mention, the cost of bringing an unattended yard back after a harsh Canadian winter is worth the effort ten-fold.
Consistency and preparedness are key to a fall cleanup – it’s best not to wait too far into the official start of autumn to get going on your cleanup plan. This may also include using a knowledgeable landscape professional to tend to your exterior, yielding you professional results, and saving you time and energy. One principle remains tried and true – the more care you put in at this time (and the upcoming fall months) the more you will reap come spring!
