Preparing Your Property for the Upcoming Fall Season

*Record Scratch*

Preparing for fall? Aw, come on. Summer just got here! Relax, we’re not saying let’s start raking leaves. We’re just talking about thinking ahead. 

There’s still time to enjoy the summer, but a little prep (and a call to Perfection) will help you fall into Autumn without a scratch.

Fire Pit and Patio

After all the fun you’ve had this summer, your outdoor living space will need some attention before the fall. Your hardscape areas are no exception. 

Let’s start with safety! In the fall, you might be more likely to be using your firepit to stay warm outdoors. That makes now the perfect time to check your gas lines in your pit and outdoor kitchen for safety if you’re using a propane line. 

Beyond safety, it’s time to think about how you’re patio will serve you in the fall. Is it going to be a welcoming place? Or will it need some sprucing up once your summer-blooming annuals have died? 

Let Perfection help you prepare it so you can keep entertaining guests until you’re too cold to continue! And by the way, it’s not too late to install a new outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or patio.

Lighting

Did you recently get your yard set up this summer? Do you love it and want to keep using it as an entertaining space into the fall? Have you thought about how the sun is going to set earlier? Now might be a good time to think about outdoor lighting.

Flower Beds 

Summer is second only to spring for flowers. But as the summer comes to a close, some of your flowers may not be looking so good anymore. 

It’s time to start considering how you want everything to look in the fall. Will you be planting some autumn blooms? Will you want some dead plants removed? 

One thing you will need is mulch. Mulch helps protect plants through the harsher seasons. And even though they won’t be blooming, they will still need care!

Lawncare

We’re currently mowing, but it’s time to start thinking about preparing your lawn for a cooler season. That’s why right we’re booking right now to begin fertilizing lawns. 

Once Fall Is Here…

Fall can be a beautiful season in Kentucky. The leaves changing give us lovely views and even bring in tourists. As comedian Jim Gaffigan once said, “Leaves are so pretty when they die.”

But once all the leaves have fallen, there is much work to be done. And there is more to the fall season than just raking leaves. So what fall services will you need this season?

Aeration & Overseeding

Fall is perfect for booking your aeration and overseeding service. Unfortunately, two things happen throughout the summer mowing season: your soil is compacted, and thatch builds up. Both of these trends can contribute to a less healthy lawn.

Soil Compaction 

Your soil can become compacted for multiple reasons. One primary reason is traffic. Areas of the yard that are used most often are mostly to get compacted soil. 

Another contributing factor to soil compaction is erosion. Erosion is caused by water washing soil away. And it can be made worse by a non-healthy lawn, creating a cycle of erosion and compaction. 

Soil compaction is a problem for your lawn because densely packed soil is bad for plant health. It’s difficult for your grass and other plants to grow when it doesn’t have room. The compacted soil makes it more difficult for water and nutrients to reach the plants. 

Thatch Buildup

The other issue that happens over the summer is the buildup of thatch. Thatch is an organic plant matter that doesn’t break down. It can crowd your grass and smother it or make it more difficult for water and nutrients to reach it from above. 

In addition, thatch buildup can make lawn mowing more difficult. The lawnmower can then create deep ruts, which further aggravates the problem!

The Solution

Aerating and overseeding your soil is the solution to compaction and thatch buildup. The fall is a perfect time to perform this seasonal task because the weather is mild, but nothing is growing anew. 

Aeration involves literally adding air and room to the soil. Aeration is performed by poking holes in the ground and taking up soil cores. In doing so, it also helps to remove thatch. 

Once you aerate, it’s time to overseed. The reason overseeding works so well after aeration is aeration has already made room for the planting of new seeds. They are then able to germinate.

Fall is also a good time for another fertilization to give the seeds even more help. 

Shrub Trimming

Is it time for a haircut? Every year, your shrubs need a little trim. And Autumn is the perfect season for it. 

Pruning your shrubs not only makes them more appealing. It’s also good for their health to remove dead branches. But don’t try to do it yourself!

If you trim shrubs improperly, they are not only unsightly but also unhealthy.

Seasonal Cleanup

Every season some plants die and need to be removed. Those plants that were still around at the end of the summer but don’t make it to next year will need to be cleaned up in the fall. Perfection will come and spruce up your garden beds and the rest of the yard.

And what’s the one task everyone associates with the fall? Leaf cleanup! Of course, every fall requires leaf removal. 

Sometimes, clients will schedule more than one leaf removal since, as much as we’d like them to, all the leaves don’t seem to fall at once, let alone on our schedule!

Maybe you’re not sure if preparing for fall applies to you. Perhaps your property has some of these features, but you think you might have it covered. Do you have a question about something we didn’t cover?

No problem. Just call us, and we’ll figure it out with you. We look forward to it. 

And don’t worry. We’ll make it easy. Friendly. Professional. Perfection.