Is fall yard cleanup necessary? Definitely. The benefits of fall yard cleanup are many: It helps shield your grass from smothering during winter, prevents pest infestation, enhances soil fertility, and supports a healthy ecosystem. Plus, a clean yard now means less work in spring and a nice-looking landscape.
1. Prepares for Winter
First off, fall yard cleanup helps prepare your outdoor space for the upcoming winter months. Sure, not all places experience snowfall or freezing temperatures. However, the shift from warmer to cooler weather can still affect your plants and overall lawn health.
*Word of Caution: Too many leaves on your lawn before winter can harm the grass. Sam Bauer from the University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science says, “First, it will smother the grass and if not removed very soon, in the spring, it will inhibit growth. Second, it can promote snow mold diseases.”
Here are some key ways fall cleanup helps with winter preparation:
- Prevents Snow Mold: Cleaning up leaves stops snow mold, a winter-loving fungus, from attacking your grass. Here is our guide on “How to Get Rid of Snow Mold.”
- Ensures Proper Drainage: Clean gutters and drainage areas help water flow freely, stopping floods or ice dams. This saves your house and yard from any harm. Check out our guide on “How to Clean Gutter Downspouts.”
- Protects Weak Plants: Some plants need help to survive cold weather. Mulching and wrapping help them stay healthy.
Here are some related articles:
2. Prevents Pest Infestations
Your lovely fall leaves may look beautiful. But they’re making your yard a perfect home for various pests like ants, beetles, billbugs, mice, voles, and rats. These creatures love to nest in leaf piles during winter.
By doing a thorough fall cleanup, you remove these potential homes for pests before they become a problem. Not only does this mean less work later, but it also saves you from the headache of trying to do pest control yourself… or shelling out big bucks for someone else to do it.
However, if pests have already settled in your yard, here are some articles on how to combat such pests:
- “Integrated Pest Management for the Lawn”
- “How to get rid of Japanese beetles in your yard“
- “How to Identify and Control Billbugs in Your Lawn”
- “How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Home and Yard”
- “How to Get Rid of Rats Outside”
- “How to Get Rid of Voles and Repair Your Lawn”
3. Improves Soil Health and Fertility
What happens when leaves stay on your lawn? They block sunlight and air, causing damage to the grass. To handle this issue, rake them up, shred them, and use them as compost.
“The tree leaves do not have a lot of nutritional value,” explains Dan Sandor, a turfgrass expert at Virginia Tech. However, “chopping them up and returning them to the soil is a great way to increase soil organic matter levels.”
This improves the structure and condition of your soil, helping it retain moisture and making it easier for roots to grow. (Check out our article on How to Improve Your Lawn With Mulch)
4. Prepares for Spring Growth
Think ahead with your fall yard cleanup, and you’ll thank yourself when spring arrives. With a yard free from dead leaves and plant debris, your garden gets a head start in the warmer seasons.
Here’s how:
- Less Competition: Clearing your lawn of dead grass or thatch in the fall gives new sprouts room to grow. They don’t have to battle for sun, water, or nutrition.
- Faster Start: Without the layer of leaves and debris, the ground warms up faster. This makes for an earlier and healthier start for your garden plants.
- Prevents Diseases: Many plant diseases, such as apple scab, black spot, and leaf spot, can survive in dead and decaying leaves. Cleaning them up in the fall means fewer problems for your plants in the springtime.
For more information about dealing with lawn diseases and maintaining a healthy yard, you might want to read our article “Common Lawn Diseases and How to Identify Them.”
5. Supports Environmental Sustainability
Cleaning up your yard the right way has eco-friendly benefits, too. Many towns turn leaves and garden waste into compost. By taking part in such programs or composting at home, you cut down on trash and create free food for your plants. (Here is our guide on Composting 101: How to Start Composting)
Consider leaving a thin layer (about 3 to 5 inches) of leaves around trees or in flower beds to cover any bare soil. This way, you’ll reduce waste, support beneficial insects, and improve soil health. Plus, no need to buy extra mulch or fertilizers. It’s an eco-friendly win.
Pro Tip: Mike Goatley, a Virginia Tech turfgrass expert, advises homeowners to avoid plastic bags for leaf collection. He says, “Research has shown that plastic bags filled with leaves can last for years in the landfill.” So if you bag leaves, choose to use biodegradable paper bags instead.
6. Enhances Curb Appeal
Perhaps an obvious, yet important, benefit of fall yard cleanup is that it keeps your property looking sharp. A well-maintained yard adds a lot to the appearance of your home. It feels inviting and shows that you take care of your home.
This also helps if you plan to sell or rent your home, as people will find it more attractive. But even if not, a clean yard will make you feel good every time you step outside or glance through your window. Here is our article on “Top 6 Curb Appeal Ideas to Get Your Home Sold Fast.”
FAQ About Benefits of Fall Yard Cleanup
What does fall cleaning consist of?
Fall yard cleanup mainly includes tasks such as
- Remove leaves and rake thoroughly (Check our guide on “Best Ways to Clean Up Leaves in Your Yard”;)
- Mow and fertilize your lawn one last time (Here is our article on “When to Stop Mowing the Lawn Before Winter”)
- Trim shrubs (Learn more about trimming shrubs here: “How to Trim Bushes, Hedges, and Shrubs”)
- Clear gutters and drainage areas (Ensure smooth drainage with our “Routine Gutter Maintenance Checklist”)
- Remove dead annuals and cut back perennials;
- Protect sensitive plants (wrap, cover, or relocate);
- Clean and store garden tools properly;
- Wrap up hoses and prepare sprinklers for winter.
Other related guides that might help you include:
- “What to Do With Leaves: 7 Things”
- “How To Remove Leaves From Mulch and Flower Beds”
- “How to Use a Leaf Blower”
- “How to Rake Leaves”
- “Fall Checklist for Yard and Lawn Care”
- “The Top 4 Ways To Care For Your Lawn This Fall”
When should you clean up your yard in fall?
Start your fall cleaning once most of the leaves are off the trees, generally in late October or November. However, this can change based on where you live and the weather. Aim to clean up after most leaves have fallen but before it starts to snow.
What are the disadvantages of cleaning the yard?
The main issue could be bothering beneficial insects that need leaf piles to live. But you can fix this by leaving some leaves around trees or using them as compost. Also, cleaning your yard can take a lot of energy and time.
Hire a Lawn Care Pro
Do you wish for a slice of pumpkin pie without the worries of your messy fall yard? You can have it. Simply call in a local lawn care professional and let them handle the leafy mess.
At LawnStarter, we make sure you get help from only the top lawn care professionals near you. They’ll clean up all those leaves and even perform that last essential mow right when it’s needed while you savor your pie and enjoy fall’s beauty.
Main Photo Credit: KenFukunaga / Needpix
