Everything From Lawn Care to Porch Decor
As the warmth of summer gives way to the crispness of fall, there are easy steps you can take to maintain your yard's curb appeal. Transitioning your exterior spaces from summer to fall not only enhances their beauty but also prepares your home for the upcoming winter.
Let’s take a look at a variety of projects you can complete during the warmer weather to ensure your yard remains vibrant and appealing even as the temperatures drop.
1. Prune and Trim Everything
For a neat and tidy yard throughout fall and winter, attend to overgrown trees, shrubs and flower beds in late summer. Trim and remove dead branches and blooms, and hire landscape pros to cut back taller trees. This will help keep your home safer during winter storms, prevent rodents from nesting in old foliage, and ensure your lawn and perennials come back healthy next spring.
Keep up with the yard work in the fall as well. Pull weeds, rake leaves and clean out gutters. You can also pressure wash your sidewalk, driveway, siding and deck while the weather is still warm. Then, sweep often and put away summer toys and gardening equipment as the chill sets in.
2. Tackle Exterior Repairs
Once the trees are bare in winter, home imperfections really stand out. So step back, take a good look at your exterior, and make a list of projects. You may want to touch up the paint or stain, fix broken pavers, replace screens, patch gutters, or repair broken fencing, shutters and railings.
Because there’s less daylight during the fall and winter months, replace burned-out bulbs on your outside lighting and up the wattage if your fixture allows. If needed, add more lighting whether a spotlight on your driveway or solar lighting to illuminate walkways.
3. Plant Winter-Friendly Flowers
Whether you plant in the ground, containers or hanging pots, your winter landscape doesn’t have to be left barren. Frame your home with evergreens like boxwood shrubs then layer in:
- Winter Pansies
- Ornamental Kale
- Christmas Rose
- Camellias
- Chinese Fringe
- Winter Aconite
- Chrysanthemums
- Dusty Miller
- Frosty Fern
- Holly Bush
- Winter Jasmine
- Dwarf Japanese Maple
4. Add a Bounty of Fall Accents
If you don’t want to go full green thumb, you can place pumpkins, gourds, and cornstalks near your entryway or along garden paths for an autumnal touch. Buy or DIY a fall-themed wreath for your front door. Add an outdoor rug, lanterns, and a basket of blankets to your seating areas, and consider putting up string lights to create a cozy ambiance during the shorter days. These small touches go a long way in enhancing yard and curb appeal.
5. Keep Your Lawn Lush
Typically in Colorado, sprinkler blowouts happen in October. Prior to that, you’ll need to continue watering your lawn and keeping the grass at a height of about 2.5 to 3 inches. If it gets too long and snow falls, it becomes susceptible to fungus and mold. Late summer and fall are also good times to overseed thinning patches, aerate the soil and add high-quality fertilizer.
Pro Tip: Your gas lawnmower needs to be winterized! First, run your mower until all gas is gone. Then clean out all dirt and lawn clippings by spraying down the blades and underside. Remove the battery, clean the terminals, and store it in a cool, dry spot away from any combustibles.
Enjoy One Cool Winter
By following these five key projects, you can seamlessly transition your yard from summer to fall and maintain its curb appeal throughout the colder months. A little effort and attention will make a great first impression on visitors, as well as enhance your home’s overall value and appeal.
And, one final tip. While it might seem too early, schedule your full winter home prep now. Call a lawn care professional and set up a future day and time for your sprinkler blowout. Waiting until there’s a freeze warning in the forecast will be too late if you want to secure a prompt appointment.
Also, get on the calendar with chimney, HVAC and roofing specialists. Making sure these systems are cleaned, serviced and repaired will help prevent any issues or damage once winter arrives.
