10 Fall Yard Clean Up Tasks That Everyone Needs To Do
Fall is the perfect time to clean up your yard. The air’s crisp, the bugs are gone, and the season gives you a natural deadline to get things done before winter comes. And tidying things up in fall isn’t just about making your yard look nice. It’s about protecting your plants, lawn, and tools so that they’re ready to go again next spring. Here are ten cleanup tasks that are worth checking off your list before the weather turns too cold or wet to get anything done.
Rake and Remove the Leaves
Leaving a thick layer of leaves on your lawn might seem harmless, but it can actually smother the grass and invite mold. If you’ve got a lot of trees, you need to be raking regularly or running a mulching mower over the yard to break them up. Any thick, wet mats of leaves can cause problems, so they should be removed and composted. You’ll see that your hard work paid off in the spring when your grass comes back greener and stronger than the year before.
Clean Out the Garden Beds
When your flowers and veggies call it quits, it’s tempting to just let all the plants die out on their own. But old stems, weeds, and debris can hide pests and diseases that’ll last over winter and cause problems next year. Instead, pull up annuals, cut back perennials that need it, and clear out any rotting fruit or vegetables. This gives your garden a fresh start and will make prepping the soil a lot easier next year. Your future self will thank you come planting season.
Trim Dead or Damaged Branches
Before the snow and ice roll in, it’s a good idea to walk around your yard and do a quick check on your trees and shrubs. Look for branches that are dead, cracked, or hanging too close to the house or power lines. If a windstorm comes in January, you don’t want branches breaking off and causing damage to your house or yard. Trim back what you safely can on your own, or call in a pro for anything that’s too far to reach. It helps your trees stay healthy and helps you avoid unexpected damage later.
Clear Out the Gutters
No one loves cleaning gutters, but skipping it is a huge hazard to your home. Clogged gutters can lead to water backing up and flooding under your roof or freezing into heavy ice dams. Grab a ladder, gloves, and maybe a scoop, and clean out leaves and debris before the weather turns too cold. While you’re up there, it’s also a great time to check for loose gutters or signs of damage. Doing this in September or October makes fall rains less stressful and protects your house from winter ice damage.
Drain and Store Hoses
Leaving your garden hoses out all winter can cause them to crack or burst, especially if water gets trapped inside and freezes. Disconnect them, drain all the water out, and coil them up for storage in the garage or shed. While you’re at it, shut off outdoor faucets if they have a separate valve. It’s a small task, but one that can save you from a messy plumbing headache when the first freeze of winter hits.
Cut the Lawn One Last Time
As fall winds down, your lawn will naturally start to grow slower, but giving it one last mow before winter can help keep it healthy. Set your mower blade a little lower than usual to prevent matting under snow, but be careful not to cut the grass down to the dirt. Cutting it too short can expose roots and invite weeds, even as the weather gets cooler. After that last mow, clean off the mower deck and consider adding fuel stabilizer if you're putting it away for the season. It’s one of those tasks that makes me feel like summer is really over.
Mulch Around Trees and Beds
Adding a fresh layer of mulch in the fall helps control soil temperature and keeps roots protected through the freeze-thaw cycles of winter. It also keeps moisture in the ground and helps prevent weed growth. Use shredded bark, leaves, or whatever mulch you prefer, and spread it over garden beds and around trees in a layer a few inches thick. Just don’t put it directly on tree trunks or stems. It’s like tucking your plants in with a blanket before winter sets in. You don't need to mulch everything, but it’s definitely helpful for young or delicate plants.
Store Outdoor Furniture and Tools
Patio furniture, grills, garden tools, and anything else that doesn’t need to be outside through the winter should get cleaned up and stored away in fall. Wipe off dirt, rust, or mildew, and put things in a safe place in your garage, shed, or basement. Leaving stuff out in snow and ice shortens its life and leads to costly repairs and more cleanup later. Fall is also a great time to sharpen or oil any tools that need attention. A little prep now will make the start of spring so much easier.
Check for Weeds and Pests
Weeds might look like they’ve already stopped growing, but some of them are busy dropping seeds for next year. Go ahead and pull them now while the ground’s still soft. It’s also smart to check for signs of pests, like chewed leaves, burrow holes, or nests in the corners of sheds and decks. Taking care of these problems in the fall helps avoid surprises in spring when everything wakes up again. Just because you can’t see the problem, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Compost What You Can
With all the garden and leaf cleanup you’ll be doing, fall is a great time to build or boost your compost pile. Shredded leaves, garden clippings, and veggie scraps all break down well and create rich compost for next year’s flower beds. Turn the pile if you already have one, and cover it if you’re expecting a wet season. Just avoid adding diseased plant material, weed seeds, or anything with pesticides. Composting keeps waste out of landfills and gives your future garden a natural boost.
A Little Work Now, Less Trouble Later
Fall cleanup isn’t glamorous, but it sets the stage for a smoother, healthier yard next year. You don’t have to knock it all out in one weekend. Do a little here and there, enjoy the cooler air while you can, and know that every leaf raked and hose drained is a step toward less work to do in spring. It’s a simple, satisfying way to close out the growing season and get outside a bit more before the cold weather moves in.