As the lazy, hot days of summer fade into the crisp, darkening days of fall, there’s always much to do. It’s time to cover the pool and hang up the grill tongs as we watch the late summer blooms die, our landscapes empty of their curated beauty, and the leaves change to their vibrant hues as they bid adieu. There’s back to school chaos, full sports schedules, and the busy holidays are just around the corner. Now is the time to prepare your yard for the dark, cold months ahead to ensure the spring to come is a fruitful one. Adding a few simple steps to your landscape routine will make your life easier when the warm weather returns and the cycle starts over again.
Here are some tips on how to prepare your landscape for fall and winter:
- Aerate your lawn. Aerating your lawn helps to improve drainage and allows water and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. This is especially important in the fall, when the ground is starting to cool down.
- Fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing your lawn in the fall will help it to stay healthy and green throughout the winter. Use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for fall use.
- Rake up leaves. Rake up fallen leaves and dispose of them properly. Leaving leaves on your lawn can create a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
- Prune trees and shrubs. Prune trees and shrubs that need it in the fall. This will help to prevent wind damage and improve the shape of your plants.
- Mulch your flower beds. Mulching your flower beds helps to insulate the soil and protect your plants from the cold. Use a mulch that is appropriate for your climate.
- Water your plants. Continue to water your plants regularly throughout the fall, even if it rains occasionally. This will help them to stay hydrated and healthy.
- Protect tender plants. If you have any tender plants, such as annuals or tropicals, you may need to protect them from the cold. You can do this by bringing them indoors or covering them with a tarp or burlap.
Fill Empty Spaces in Landscape with Customized Landscape Boulders
If you’re bemoaning the emptiness left behind in your landscape when your perennials fade and your annuals bite the dust, adding an engraved boulder can shift your landscape into a new season of elegance. Customized landscape stones are an easy, low maintenance way to fill empty spaces with beautifully created designs that keep your colorful personality alive all winter long. Add a family name stone next to your porch, a stylish address stone along the driveway, or create a landscape feature with a custom design and add a solar-powered light for an exquisite low-maintenance glow through the long, dark mornings and evenings of the fall and winter.
When creating a landscape feature with an engraved boulder, several considerations need to be kept in mind. Think about the size, shape, color, and location that works best for your unique landscape. Consider what fits with your style and what’s important enough to you that you’d like to feature it in the first place. Are you or someone in your family in an occupation you’d like to honor? Consider a first responder, veteran stone, or nurse stone. Is your faith the most important part of your life? These religious stones are a sure fire way to express that deep devotion to family, friends, and guests. If you have the heart of a patriot, adding a patriotic stone to your landscape will be the perfect accessory.
Whatever design you choose, personalized engraved boulders are a simple and versatile way to add interest and sophistication to your landscape all through the year. With a little planning and effort, you can create a stunning display that will fill out your landscape in the cold months and beyond.
Cleaning up your landscape in the fall doesn’t have to be a monumental effort. A few simple steps and additions can help brighten your home even when everything else around it is cold and dark. Get raking and enjoy the cool days ahead!
