We’ve come to the time of year where fall weather is upon us, and as far as our yards and properties are concerned, this means tackling all of the items that should be done before winter weather sets in. When it comes to fall landscaping, it’s not only about preparation before the first freeze but also about preparing for the coming spring too. Whether you’re skilled at fall landscaping or need to brush up on what should be done yet this month, we’ve included some helpful tips and information from the local experts to get you started and keep you on the right track!
Brandy Prettyman – The Grounds Guys of SW Omaha
While we will all soon be raking up plenty of leaves, that’s just one small part of what can be incorporated into the fall landscaping agenda. Brandy Prettyman, owner of The Grounds Guys of SW Omaha, offers some helpful tips for getting everything accomplished properly in the fall:
“One of the biggest things to keep in mind is that fall landscaping, along with the necessary care and maintenance of your property’s grounds and exterior features, isn’t so much about what your property looks like in the fall but more about preparation for what it will look like come next spring. Everything you do in the fall will determine how well your landscape, especially your lawn, will recover and come to life in the spring.
First, make sure you get all of your plant beds cleaned well by removing all of the dead plants and leaves. You can even choose to use this stuff as mulch for your grass, which will use it as sustenance when it comes time for new growth in the spring. It’s important to avoid decaying leaves that are left on the ground because it suffocates your lawn.
Just as it’s critical to remove the dead leaves and plant material, it’s also a good idea to get rid of all of the dead grass that’s settled into your lawn with power raking and to further ensure that your lawn is able to breath with proper aeration. These both tie back into preparing for spring as well. As it’s heavily dependent on each individual property because not every lawn needs these two items every year, make sure you are asking your landscaping professional if these are things that need to be done if they haven’t already suggested it. Then with some overseeding you’ll ensure the growth of new grass while also choking out all of the weeds. The growth of the right amount of grass is actually the best natural means of weed elimination, which I’ve found that many people aren’t aware of. Herbicides aren’t necessarily meant to get rid of the weeds; it’s more about prevention with those types of products. The more your lawn is seeded and taken care of, the less weeds you will have. Just remember, it’s all about good grass growth!
Along with cleaning up your lawn and plant beds, application of herbicide and fertilizer that’s designed specifically for winterization is incredibly beneficial for your lawn. This will soak in and stay in the ground while everything is dormant, and then when the ground thaws in the spring, your lawn will begin using it to grow. Due to the fact that it will stay in the ground, your final application of fertilizer should have the highest amount of nitrogen you put down all year.
Next, and of the utmost importance, make sure that if you have an underground sprinkler system you have a professional come out to properly winterize it. We have such an odd winter season here in Nebraska, so it can be tricky to gauge when it will actually freeze. Not getting your sprinklers ready for winter weather can cause a lot of damage that you won’t find out about until the spring—especially if a quick winter comes on.
When it comes to landscaping projects in the fall, it’s common to overlook what you’ll actually be doing in the winter. Yes, there is progress to be made during the winter too! This makes fall the perfect time to consult with your landscaping professional to put a long term plan in place if you don’t already have one.
So what can you do in the interim to prepare for times when you won’t have any green to highlight your home or business? Container gardening has increased in popularity over the past few years and it really is a nice touch for any property. The goal is simply to set up a couple of small focal points that draw your eyes toward prominent features of the property. The larger decorative urns and flowerpots hold up well all year long, and you can incorporate festive plants that endure the cold such as holly, poinsettias, and other naturally occurring winter flowers to bring that pop of color back to your landscape. These are fairly easy to put together, and your landscape professional can help guide you towards what will last and look the best. There is also a planting window in the fall for certain plants, so you’ll want to be aware of the plants you want to incorporate next year. Make a list of the possibilities and ask a professional if any of those plants actually need to be planted in the fall in order to grow and bloom in the spring.
There are plenty of options to keep your curb appeal throughout the year, and as such, consulting with your landscaping professional will allow you to get on a schedule that incorporates a full year and all of the seasons accordingly. This way you’ll not only be ahead of the game but you can also set your budget too. Don’t be afraid to find someone that will come alongside you and fill in the gaps in your needs and knowledge. If you know enough about certain aspects of your property, find someone who will simply offer advice or services when you need it or who will point you to what you need to research and give you an estimate of the time and effort that will be required. This way you can make an educated decision on what you are and aren’t up for and you can find assistance for the items you’ve opted to pass on.
The trick to proper seasonal landscaping isn’t so much about how to do it but rather, when to do it. This means that having the right information is key. Furthermore, there is a lot of step by step processes that are very detailed in many ways. It’s critical to set up a working partnership between yourself and your landscaping professional so that no balls are dropped and you are sufficiently educated along the way.
As I previously mentioned, it’s all about forward planning and preparation. Think of fall landscaping like studying for a test. You want to be best prepared and it’s advantageous to avoid a last-minute cram session. If you put all of the prep work in, you’ll reap the benefits with a good grade. Spring and summer are the test days, so what you do in the fall ensures that your property will look good during that time.”
With freezing temperatures that will make an appearance any time now, make sure you don’t forget about the maintenance and winterization of your sprinkler system! Adjusting zone run times to the appropriate settings for the cooling temperatures is incredibly important. It is very easy to over-water this time of the year, which can wash away any new seed put down and create soggy areas in lawns that leave the turf vulnerable to damage from mowers, pets, kids, and so on. Also, if you are looking for a new sprinkler system next year, now is the time to put one in. Installation in the fall gives the turf time to recover at fast rates so it is ready first thing in the spring. Moreover, because irrigation companies are extremely busy in the spring with start-ups and repairs, new sprinkler systems installations usually have to wait four weeks to go in after approval. Having a licensed sprinkler contractor winterize your sprinkler system is highly recommended. Buyer Beware: There are many companies that offer this service at a cheaper price, but do not know the proper methods which can lead to major and costly damages.
Fall is also a great time to have your existing irrigation system audited. If your irrigation system is older and has not been tuned up in at least the last two years, it is time for a check-up. Just as you perform maintenance to your car, furnace/AC or your lawn mower, your irrigation system also needs a little attention from time to time. Always keep your eyes out for the obvious such as broken heads, leaky valves, squishy areas in the lawn, but also look for signs of stress or uneven watering. If there are areas of your yard that look greener than others or you have high and low areas consider giving your irrigation professional a call as this could be something as simple as cleaning a nozzle obstruction or it could be a sign that your irrigation system is not designed correctly. Proper water distribution (matched precipitation) is a very important part of your sprinkler system’s operation and your turf’s health.
Another important thing to keep in mind in regards to your underground irrigation system as fall draws near is the winterization process. Whether you choose to use the gravity drain method or blow the system out with pressurized air you want to make sure you or your irrigation professional winterizes the system correctly. An improper winterization can lead to expensive repairs in the spring. While it is not required on most residential systems, winterizing with pressurized air is the only way to ensure all the water has been evacuated from your system. If you blow-out your own irrigation system make sure to never exceed 70 psi.
For those who plan to renovate their landscape this fall, it is essential to remember that major bed renovations will also require adapting your irrigation system. Sprinkler heads that are trapped inside new or existing landscapes will reduce the coverage of turf areas, causing stress to the turf and even over watering some plant material. Landscaping is generally a major investment whether on a residential or commercial project so consult with both your landscaper and irrigation professional. While you are updating or adding landscape beds, you may also want to consider incorporating drip irrigation. When properly installed, drip irrigation can enhance the health of your plants and ensure that your landscaping will thrive for years to come. If you’re installing foundation border landscapes, drip irrigation is a particularly great addition. Drip uses approximately 50% less water than aerial delivery systems, it is more precise, more controllable, and requires less weeding of landscape areas. With the drier weather Eastern Nebraska has been experiencing it is also a great way to keep the soil moist around the foundation of your home to assist in preventing foundation shift.
Fall truly is a wonderful time to move forward with the outdoor landscape projects you have been thinking about during the busy summer months. Temperatures are ideal for planting and there is plenty of time to complete projects and even to enjoy them before winter. Many people spend their free time enjoying their home’s outdoor living areas, whether for cook-outs, entertaining guests, spending time with the family, playing fetch with the dogs, and so on. This is why it is important to have a plan when starting your new fall landscape projects, and finding out how you intend to utilize the features of your property is the first step.
As a general rule of thumb, never underestimate what can still be done to the landscape or hardscape of your property in the fall. In fact, as long as the ground is not frozen, you may find that you can get on a contractor’s schedule much faster than in the spring. If a mild winter occurs, it’s entirely possible that projects can be completed all the way up to December. As a prime example, adding square footage to your home with outdoor entertaining areas has been increasingly popular over the past few years and with good reason–more living space to enjoy. Fire pits and outdoor kitchen remain extremely popular, and would be a great addition this time of year with football and holiday parties. Manufacturers have developed components that include outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, pizza ovens and food storage space that are pre-cut for easy assembly and sometimes pre-fabricated so that they simply drop in place as a kitchen in the home would do. Decks in particular are nice to do in the fall, as you can let the new lumber season and then seal it the following year.
Terri Rediger – Malibu Sunrooms
Another great way to expand and maximize the living space in your home is to add a sunroom. Terri Rediger, owner of Malibu Sunrooms, explains, “If you have not been in a sunroom, I think it’s impossible to really understand what you are missing. People LOVE their sunroom. It’s everyone’s favorite room in the house. You ‘feel’ like you are outside, but can enjoy the comforts of being inside. When there’s a snowstorm, it is SO COOL being in a sunroom–like living in a snow globe. And really, no matter what the weather is doing, the weather is always great in a Malibu Sunroom!”
Rediger also emphasizes that there are many outdoor projects that should be completed in the fall as this is the optimal time to do so. “Replacing or repairing doors and windows in your house is especially important when facing the harsh winters we get in Nebraska and Iowa,” she advises. “Broken seals, air infiltration and poor weather stripping can affect both your energy bill and your comfort in the winter. Adding ice and water shield to your roof is also a very important aspect of maintaining your home. About six years ago, building codes changed and an ice and water shield are now required on roofs. However, this was not always the case and there are many roofs out there today without this important element. Ice and water shield creates a barrier between your shingles and your roof decking. Without it, ice builds up and pushes itself under the shingles, which then can leak into your house. Ice and water shield is a secondary defense against leaks.”
She adds, “When considering the importance of year round curb appeal, seasonal upkeep is just a part of being a homeowner. When our homes are well cared for, our property values go up. A lot of times, it’s not just for our own property–it’s also for the good of the neighborhood. Curb appeal is always important when it comes to selling and buying homes. When buyers can ‘see’ continued maintenance and care, it strikes a chord that indicates there are no problems or issues with the home. Now, there is upkeep, and then there’s the ‘WOW factor’. Landscaping, beautiful decks or concrete and water features add tremendous appeal to your home. Sunrooms not only add beauty to your home, but also additional finished square feet! I haven’t met one person who was sorry they added a sunroom. Who wouldn’t want to feel like they are outside all year long? And aside from adding a stylish look outside of your home, a sunroom adds class, sunshine and architectural appeal from the INSIDE of your home. Most people who own a sunroom will tell you that they literally ‘live’ in their room. No other room in the house gets used as much as a sunroom. The ‘feeling of the outdoors’ in any season or weather is what gets them.
The additional living space–a place to have Thanksgiving dinner, a space to relax, to watch TV, to read a book, to play with grandchildren, to open Christmas presents or to watch the wildlife that takes place in your own backyard—is well worth the cost. As far as adding value to your home, there is no question that a sunroom fits the bill. But adding value to your life and your lifestyle, well I don’t think there’s a price you can put on that.”
Toni Montana – Land Survey Inc.
If you decide to take on a landscaping project this fall on your property, whether residential or commercial, it is very important to be aware of the exact location of your property lines. This is something that should be done before anything else, mainly because it can be costly later on down the line if you have utilized property that you don’t own in your design. The money that you spend in your landscaping project is an investment in the overall value and appearance of your property, but if you don’t own the land you are improving you are effectively investing in someone else’s property value. Land Survey, LLC specializes in assisting property owners by providing exact property boundaries. Toni Montana, owner of Land Survey, Inc., advises, “Many times property owners assume they know where their property starts and ends, mainly due to a previous landscape that offers a boundary feature such as a fence or retaining wall, but I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to know where your property lines are, especially the corners. I employ a method which utilizes CAD drawn plans (as opposed to hand-drawn ones), which are far more clear and concise. Although they may take a little longer, there is greater accuracy in the results. When considering how you will obtain a boundary survey, ask other property owners first. Word of mouth or the Better Business Bureau website is a good place to start in finding the best professionals when it comes to any aspect of landscaping, but especially when choosing who will accurately assess where your invisible property lines lie. Furthermore, the service of land survey takes a lot of time to learn and the property laws can be confusing. My best advice is to always consult with a licensed surveying firm before proceeding. Trying to cut costs up front may cost a lot more in the end.”
You may also need the proper equipment or tools for the project, and if you don’t want to invest in buying what’s required outright, there are options for rental that come in quite handy. Honeyman Rent-All is an excellent local resource, offering a wide variety of items for rent from basic tools all the way up to heavy equipment. As an added value, Honeyman Rent-All’s knowledgeable staff will make sure you fully understand how to operate each piece of equipment that you rent before you leave with it and are on your own. Troy Honeyman, General Manager of Honeyman Rent-All, explains, “Our main goal, besides having everything you might need available, is to provide guidance and hands-on service in order to ensure that you have the right equipment and tools for the job so that you can bring your landscaping project to life!”
Overall, as long as you’re focused on preparation for the upcoming winter weather and thinking ahead for what you want your property to look like in the spring, you’ll be headed in the right direction as far as fall landscaping and exterior projects are concerned. Ensuring that all of the necessary tasks are accomplished will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the fall and to get excited for what’s to come next spring!