Follow These Tips for Fall from Jeff Cartwright

The temperatures have dropped and so have the leaves. Many people think all the action in the yard happens in spring and summer, but fall provides a great opportunity to lay the groundwork for a beautiful and bountiful garden next season. I collaborated with STIHL and our friends at the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) to give you the best fall tips for a beautiful lawn and blooms come spring:

1. Clean & Clear

Clear leaves, sticks and other organic debris. They block sunlight and trap moisture, which can mean trouble for your lawn and landscaping. A STIHL blower will help you avoid damaging grass and make quick work of clearing driveways, paths and lawns.
Leaves also accumulate in gutters and downspouts, resulting in clogs that can potentially cause damage to your home. A gutter kit attachment for your blower can help you quickly clear out leaves and other debris, allowing rainwater to flow freely.
Pull out the pressure washer for outdoor furniture, patios, driveways, and walkways. It serves two purposes: removing any stains left behind by leaves, algae or mildew and giving your outdoor surfaces a fresh look.

2. Water, Prune & Protect

Complete a deep watering before the first freeze. Grass needs about two to three inches of water per week, and it needs to be applied evenly and deeply throughout the lawn.
Prune, Trim & Deadhead — Pruning in the fall is a great way to improve the health and appearance of your trees and shrubs. Homeowners can make these tasks easier by using a STIHL hedge trimmer along with hand pruners and pruning saws.

- Shrubs and hedges will leaf more quickly in the spring if you do hard pruning this time of year. Fall is also the perfect time to prune and trim trees, since they will be dormant during the winter. Remember to remove the three “D’s” — dead, diseased and dying limbs.
- Cut most perennials and ornamental grasses back to two inches, close to the ground to send energy to the roots for new growth next season.
- Hydrangeas should be deadheaded to maintain the plant’s appearance and improve its performance.

Edge Beds & Mulch — “Hard edge” your plant and flower beds after you’ve weeded them to define the borders. A bed redefiner is ideal for this job. Then, add a two-inch layer of mulch around trees, plants and shrubs to help reduce water loss and maintain uniform soil temperature around the roots for winter.

3. Cut, Aerate & Seed at the Start of the Fall Season

Aeration reduces soil compaction and creates a channel for oxygen, water and nutrients to penetrate soil for stronger grass growth. Aeration may require specialized equipment like a STIHL YARD BOSS®, a multi-task tool with attachments for aerating and dethatching. This may be a task where you call in a pro who may have equipment specific to this task.
Fertilize & Overseed — Cool-season grasses like bluegrass and tall fescue should be fertilized September through November and warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass should be fertilized a bit earlier. Before fertilizing, be sure to seed dead or bare spots and overseed the full lawn for dense, plush grass come spring.
Cut Grass “One Last Time” — The final cut before the first freeze should be two to two and a half inches tall. A battery-powered mower and trimmer will help make quick work of the task.

4. Fall Sowing for Spring Growing

Now is the time to plant. For ideal results, bulbs like irises and daffodils should be planted in well-draining, elevated beds. Pros use tools like the STIHL BT 45 earth auger to make quick work of mass bulb planting. Nurseries have their highest stock of plants this time of year, so it’s a good time to add trees or shrubs. They go through less stress when planted in the fall and require less water to establish roots.

5. Winterize & Store Tools

Whether using gasoline- or battery-powered outdoor power equipment, now is the time to take care of regular tool maintenance. Take the time to clean and lubricate your tools as necessary. For your lawn mower and chainsaws, it is a great time to sharpen or change blades and saw chains.
If you prefer, you can have your equipment serviced by your local STIHL Dealer. If you are using gasoline-powered tools, empty the fuel tank before storing tools for the winter. After removing fuel, store your tools in a dry, dust-free, frost-free, and secure location out of reach of children and pets.

If you’re unsure on how to tackle a job, consider calling a professional landscape designer or contractor to assist. Delegating a few of these chores to a pro will ensure the work gets done well ahead of winter and that you will be enjoying a beautiful lawn and landscape next year. When you’re ready to tackle the work, an authorized STIHL Dealer can help you choose the right equipment for any job.

About Jeff Cartwright

Professional landscaper and small business owner, Jeff Cartwright has nearly 20 years of experience providing exceptional personal service, high-quality work, product and extensive horticultural expertise through Cartwright Landscaping. Cartwright Landscaping is a proud member of the Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (CVNLA) and Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (VNLA). His work and expertise have been recognized and featured in many local, regional and landscape trade publications from Virginia Living Magazine and Richmond Magazine to Green Industry Pros.