Winterize Your Landscape: 5 Fall Must-Do’s That Pay Off in Spring
Winter is coming whether we’re ready or not. But while your lawn and landscape may be about to go dormant, now’s the time to give them the care they need to survive the cold and bounce back strong in the spring.
A little effort now will save you time, money, and stress come March and April. Here are five essential fall landscaping tips to help your property weather the winter and why they make a difference when warmer days return.
1. Clear Out Leaves and Debris
Fallen leaves may look pretty, but left on your lawn, they suffocate your grass and trap moisture. That’s a recipe for:
Mold and fungus
Lawn disease
Dead patches come spring
Rake, mulch, or professionally remove leaves and other debris to let your lawn breathe and your soil stay healthy. This also makes winter snowmelt drain properly, reducing muddy messes and standing water.
2. Cut Back Dead or Dying Plants
Pruning in fall isn’t just about looks. It’s about protecting plant health through the cold months. Trim back:
Spent perennials
Dead or damaged branches
Overgrown shrubs near walkways or windows
Removing weak or dying growth prevents breakage from heavy snow and helps your plants conserve energy until spring.
3. Mulch Beds for Protection
A fresh layer of mulch is like a warm blanket for your plant roots. It:
Insulates against freezing temperatures
Regulates soil moisture
Prevents erosion during winter rain or snowmelt
Apply mulch about 2–3 inches deep in flower beds, around trees, and anywhere plants need protection.
4. Fertilize Your Lawn for a Head Start
Fall is an important time to fertilize your lawn. Why? Because while your grass might not look like it’s growing, the roots are still active. Feeding your lawn now:
Strengthens roots through winter
Speeds up your spring green lawn
Helps your lawn outcompete weeds in early spring
Look for a fall or winterizing fertilizer designed for cool-season grasses common in Northeast Ohio.
5. Protect Trees and Shrubs
Young trees and delicate shrubs are especially vulnerable during winter. Give them extra protection by:
Wrapping trunks to prevent cracking or deer damage
Applying anti-desiccant spray to evergreens
Ensuring proper drainage around roots
These simple steps can mean the difference between a thriving landscape and one that struggles to recover next year.
Why It All Matters in Spring
Think of fall cleanup as your landscape’s reset button. When you prep properly:
Your lawn wakes up greener, stronger, and healthier
Your flower beds are ready for planting, not weeding
Your trees and shrubs don’t need replacing
You avoid costly spring repair and rework
What you do in fall sets the stage for how your landscape looks and performs all next year.
Don’t spend your weekends hauling leaves, pruning branches, aerating your lawn, or trying to winterize your yard alone. Our fall clean-Up services take care of it all, so you can relax now and enjoy a better-looking landscape next spring.
📞 Call 330-618-6601 now or click here to schedule your fall cleanup with C&S Lawn Service and Landscape today.