It’s that time of year again! Time to retreat into your warm and cozy home, light the pumpkin spice candles and get ready for Halloween! But before then, you need to get your yard ready for the long Ottawa winter ahead. Preparing your yard for winter can be an arduous task. If you aren’t up to it, call Nutri-Lawn Ottawa and let us take the task off your hands! Continue reading to find out what you need to put on your fall cleanup checklist.
#1: Clean the gutters
Before the rain starts, you need to make sure your eavestroughs are ready for the onslaught of leaves and debris that come with fall rain. Chances are there are some leaves left ov
er from last fall, and who knows what else that has piled up over the summer. Making sure that your gutters are clean will reduce the likelihood of gutter damage, which can lead to potentially costly repairs. Once you have hauled out the ladder, use a garden trowel to gently remove the leaves and debris. Any solidified dirt or debris can be softened up with a garden hose. Lastly, make sure that the downspouts are in the right position and that they too are free of debris.
#2: Prune Trees and Hedges
This can be a huge job, especially if your landscaping features a privacy hedge. Every year trees and shrubs have to be pruned so that they continue growing properly. If you don’t feel comfortable with your pruning techniques, call in an arborist, or a member of the Nutri-Lawn Ottawa team. Not only will pruning trees and shrubs help them live longer and be healthier, but it will also reduce the chance of heavy snow causing damage to your property from falling tree limbs.
#3: Till Vegetable Gardens
If you have a vegetable garden on your property, fall is the time to get it ready for the next growing season. Start by removing the remnants of the vegetable plants, being careful to remove plants from the roots. Annual herbs can be picked and dried. Put the rest of the plant in your compost pile. Then, till the plot. You might consider adding a few inches of compost to add nutrients back into the soil after a full season of growing. Take the time to work the soil thoroughly. This will allow for better air and rainwater flow.
#4: Fall Lawn Essentials
There are lots of things that you can do to your lawn in the fall to get it even healthier. Some of the essentials include aerating and fertilizing. Aerating is a process that includes extracting small plugs of soil from your entire lawn. This relieves soil compaction while allowing your entire lawn to receive more air and nutrients. The fall is also a great time to apply fertilizer. Make sure to follow all of the instructions very carefully! For a full rundown on how to prepare your lawn for the fall, read this article!
To learn more about fall yard preparation or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Nutri-Lawn Ottawa today!
