As the vibrant colors of autumn leaves begin to fade, October signals a crucial time for landscape maintenance. A thorough fall clean-up not only keeps your property looking tidy but also protects your plants and soil through the winter months. By tackling a few key tasks now, you set the stage for a healthier, more beautiful landscape come spring.

While a scattering of leaves can add seasonal charm, letting them accumulate on your lawn and garden beds can cause problems. Thick layers of leaves block sunlight, trap moisture, and can suffocate grass, leading to dead patches and increased disease risk. Rake or mulch leaves regularly throughout October. Shredded leaves can be composted or used as garden mulch, adding valuable organic matter to your soil.

Once perennials have finished blooming and their foliage has died back, it’s time to cut them down to a few inches above the ground. Removing dead stems and leaves helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in your garden. Be sure to clean out annuals that have completed their life cycle and pull any lingering weeds from beds and borders.

October is a good time to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches from trees and shrubs. Pruning improves air circulation and helps prevent winter breakage from snow and ice. However, avoid heavy pruning, which can stimulate new growth that won’t have time to harden off before freezing weather arrives. Save major shaping for late winter or early spring.

A fresh layer of mulch insulates plant roots against temperature swings and helps retain soil moisture through the winter. Apply two to three inches of mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds, keeping it a few inches away from trunks and stems to prevent rot. Mulching also suppresses winter weeds and gives your landscape a neat, finished look.

Continue mowing your lawn as needed until growth stops, gradually lowering the blade for the final cut to about two inches. This helps prevent snow mold and keeps grass healthy. Clean and service your lawn mower and gardening tools before storing them for winter—sharpen blades, change oil, and drain fuel to ensure a smooth start next spring.

Take notes on what worked well in your landscape this year and what you’d like to improve. October is also the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs and cool-season annuals for next year’s color (see our next blog for more details).

A comprehensive fall clean-up is one of the best investments you can make for your property’s health and curb appeal. If you’d rather spend your weekends enjoying the season, DK Landscaping offers complete fall clean-up services—so you can relax, knowing your landscape is ready for winter and primed for spring success.