Fall Clean-Up Essentials
As summer winds down and we head into the cooler months, it’s time to do a fall yard cleanup. A few essential tasks and tools make the job easier and a lot more effective. For seasoned gardeners and those just looking for a quick DIY fall cleanup checklist, the guide below gives you everything you need to make outdoor autumn cleaning a breeze.
The Importance of Fall Yard Cleanup
A proper fall yard cleanup is essential for keeping your lawn, beds, and garden healthy. Remove debris and dead grass that can smother your grounds, and deter pests by eliminating potential shelters. Fall is also the perfect time to deal with issues you’ve noticed over the spring or summer seasons, like soil compaction or bare spots in the lawn.
Proper yard care during the fall means more sunlight and circulation will reduce the risk of disease and promote a stronger, healthier outdoor space that stands up to winter’s cold days. When done well, a fall landscape cleanup translates to a lush, vibrant yard in the spring.
Key Tasks and Tools for Fall Yard Cleanup
Knowing how to do an effective fall yard cleanup ensures your lawn and garden are well-prepared for winter, so they can thrive in the spring. The following critical tasks show where you should put your effort and focus as you do your fall cleanup.
- Rake leaves
- Aerate the lawn
- Overseed the lawn
- Fertilize
- Trim and prune
- Clean gutters
- Winterize garden tools
Raking Leaves
When they’re left piled up, thick layers of leaves will block sunlight and air, killing your grass and creating a damp environment prone to mold. Raking and removing fallen leaves will prevent lawn suffocation and mold growth.
Tools Needed - Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowers quickly clear leaves and debris from your yard, walkways, beds, or driveway. When you decide on a leaf blower, consider the power source – do you want gas or battery-operated?
Battery-powered blowers: Lighter and quieter, the perfect balance of mobility and ease of use.
Gas-powered blowers: Powerful but can be heavier and noisier than its battery-powered alternative.
Other useful tools include:
- Leaf rake
- Garden gloves
- Tarp to gather and transport leaves
- Mulching mower
- Leaf or compost bags
- Wheelbarrow or garden cart
- PPE – eyewear and dust mask
Aerating the Lawn
Aerating your lawn improves soil health by allowing water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. The process helps grass roots grow deeper, so they’re stronger and your lawn is more resilient during the harsh winter months.
Tools Needed - Lawn Aerators
Lawn aerators create tiny holes in your lawn to allow water, air, and nutrients to get down to grass roots to improve soil health. Choose from:
Spike aerators: Easy to use and affordable, but can compact soil.
Plug (or core) aerators: Removes small plugs of soil and are effective for soil
Other useful tools include:
- Garden gloves
- Rake
- Wheelbarrow
- Soil meter to measure moisture
- Hose
- Fertilizer spreader
- Grass seed or lawn fertilizer
- PPE – protective footwear and eyewear
Overseeding
Cool fall days are the ideal time to overseed your lawn and focus on repairing thin, bare grass spots. Overseeding fills unsightly bare areas and promotes a beautiful, healthy, thick lawn.
Tools Needed - Fertilizer Spreaders
Spreaders evenly distribute seed throughout your lawn to promote healthy grass growth.
Broadcast spreaders: Cover large areas but generally less precise spreading; may not be as efficient in small or tight spaces.
Drop spreaders: Offer accuracy; ideal for small areas that need precise application.
Other useful tools include:
- Garden gloves
- Hose with sprayer attachment.
- Soil test kit
- Rake
- Measuring cup or scoop
- Protective footwear
- Lawn edger trimmer
Fertilizing
Applying a balanced fertilizer in the fall is yet another way to support growth and strengthen your grass. It gives your lawn essential nutrients to endure winter so it returns vibrant and healthy in the spring.
Tools Needed - Fertilizer Spreaders
Fertilizer spreaders allow you to distribute fertilizer effectively and efficiently. Depending on the size of your lawn and the type of fertilizer you use, you can choose from broadcast (or rotary) or drop spreaders.
Other useful tools and equipment:
- Rake
- Measuring cup or scoop
- PPE – protective footwear
Trimming and Pruning
Pruning helps your plants, shrubs, and trees direct energy to the healthy areas. It encourages healthy new growth in the spring and can help prevent damage during winter storms. Removing all dead or diseased branches reduces the risk of falling limbs during high winter winds.
Tools Needed - Chainsaws
Chainsaws are essential for trimming or pruning large branches, trees, and shrubs and clearing storm damage. When you choose a chainsaw, you’ll want to decide if you want a gas or battery-powered tool.
Battery-powered chainsaws: Lighter, quieter, and suitable for jobs that need maneuverability.
Gas-powered chainsaws: More powerful for heavy-duty jobs can be heavier and noisier than its battery-powered alternative.
Other useful tools and equipment:
Cleaning Gutters
Keep your gutters clean and clear of leaves and debris to prevent water damage to your home. Clogged gutters lead to water overflow and can cause your roof, walls, siding, and foundation to deteriorate.
Tools Needed - Gutter Cleaners
To prevent water damage and keep your gutters clean and free of built-up leaves and debris, you can get a simple gutter scoop or extension wand. Check out our Rain Gutter Kits, designed to help you efficiently clean and maintain your gutters, preventing water damage and extending the life of your home.
Properly cleaning and storing your tools during winter, when you don’t use them, extends their lifespan and makes sure they’re ready when that first warm day hits next spring.
Winterizing Garden Tools
Properly cleaning and storing your tools during winter, when you don’t use them, extends their lifespan and makes sure they’re ready when that first warm day hits next spring.
Essential winterizing tips include:
- Cleaning tools to remove dirt and debris
- Sharpening blades and applying a light coat of oil to prevent rust
- Storing tools in a dry, protected area to protect them from extreme temperatures or moisture
- Draining fuel from gas power tools or adding a fuel stabilizer to prevent future engine problems
- Inspecting tools for damage or wear and making necessary repairs or replacements before storing
BATTERY-POWERED TOOLS:
- Remove and fully charge batteries before storing equipment or tools.
GAS-POWERED TOOLS:
- Add fuel stabilizer or drain fuel from the tank — ECHO’s Red Armor® Fuel is made to last and protect your engine, even over harsh winters.
Additional Tips for Yard Care
To get the best results from your fall yard cleanup routine, consider these final to-dos, which will get your lawn and yard in tip-top condition before the winter months.
- Update your watering schedule, but continue watering until the first frost.
- Create a compost pile to enrich the soil with the fallen leaves and garden debris you trim.
- Remove dead plants, weeds, and debris from garden beds to prevent pests and disease.
- Soil testing can determine the pH balance and nutrient levels so you can make smart decisions about fertilization and other additives you might want to consider using to improve the health of your soil.
- Apply a thin layer of mulch to your garden beds to protect plant roots and allow them to retain moisture – mulch also reduces weed growth.
- Plant bulbs in the fall to get spring blooms like tulips and daffodils.
- Winterize perennials by cutting them back and dividing any that have become overcrowded, encouraging healthy growth and preventing disease.
- Protect young trees from frost damage and rodents with tree guards or wraps.
- Mow your lawn until it stops growing.
- Clean and service all yard equipment and tools before storing for the season.
Ready to get your outdoor space prepared for the cold winter months? Use our fall yard cleanup checklist so you don’t forget anything. Check out ECHO for all your yard tool and equipment needs.