Before winter’s chill takes over, it’s essential to perform a few landscape measures that ensure a beautiful yard come spring. The talented gardening team at The Gardener in Columbia, MO regularly provide clients with tips for keeping their property looking pristine, and constantly stress the importance of fall maintenance.

Check out their best landscaping tips for fall:

• Clean Up Leaves: Rake and remove all leaves from your yard before winter’s first snow. Leaves left on lawns throughout winter smother underlying grass, especially if there’s a foot or more of snow on top of it.
• Clean The Gutters: Ensure your gutters are free of debris this fall, and install gutter guards if you haven’t already. Gutters clogged with leaves often creates standing water, which is a favorite breeding ground of mosquitoes and other pests, while winterization is key to avoid water damage and ice dams.
• Pick Up Debris: Pick up debris from trees and bushes around your yard to avoid aeration issues during the winter. Once all debris is removed, consider aerating your lawn with a special aeration tool or something as simple as a fork.

• Fertilize: Fertilize your lawn using a high-phosphorus (12-25-12) mix. This encourages root growth and healthy turf in the spring.
• Mow: Mow your lawn a final time before winter to prevent the spreading of disease and leaves from settling amongst grass blades. Cut grass to 1¼ inches for best results.
• Trim Dead Branches: Trim dead tree and shrub branches as part of your fall landscape efforts. Remove all cracked, diseased, and loose limbs close to tree and shrub trunks, and leave wounds exposed to encourage proper healing.

Discuss these and other fall gardening practices with the experienced team at The Gardener. This top Columbia landscaping contractor has extensive knowledge of native plants as well as plenty of experience in city gardening, and will easily help you create the yard you’ve always wished for.

Learn more about landscape and gardening services available through The Gardener by calling (573) 446-0802 or visiting their website today.