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CPO Staff  |  Oct 15 2021

Fall Cleanup

FALL CLEANUP

Tips & Tricks

GET READY FOR WINTER WITH A FALL YARD CLEANUP

Fall is a time of change and transition, and your yard is no exception. The leaves on the trees turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow - before falling all over your lawn. Whether you have a small yard or a sprawling property, you have plenty of fall cleanup chores to do before winter arrives. Aside from removing leaves, these include cutting dead tree branches, getting in your final lawn mowing, cutting back perennial plants, and more.

 

CPO Outlets offers a huge selection of outdoor tools and equipment to help you tackle every task on your fall cleanup checklist.


Do I Need to Clean Up My Yard in the Fall?

To be honest, nothing is stopping you from choosing not to perform fall maintenance on your yard. However, if you decide not to put in the effort now, you’ll be creating more difficult work for yourself in the spring.

 

Fall is the ideal time to clean up your property before the unforgiving winter weather arrives. In fact, those cold, snowy conditions are exactly what will make your yard a nightmare to deal with in the spring if you elect to not prepare now.

 

Let’s look at the most important fall cleanup tasks, including leaf removal, mowing the lawn, removing dead tree branches, and trimming perennials. We’ll also review some of the tools that can make these tasks much easier for you.


Leaf Removal

As mentioned earlier, falling leaves is one of the most iconic sights of the fall season. However, simply leaving them on the ground can cause major problems for you when winter arrives. Fallen leaves naturally rot over time, and when buried under wet snow they become fertile ground for the growth of fungi and diseases that will wreak havoc on your lawn and plants. Cleaning up the wet, soggy leaves that are left behind in the spring when the snow melts and the weather begins to get warmer is not very fun, either.

 

High-quality leaf blowers are a convenient, powerful solution to cleaning up large amounts of leaves in a timely fashion. If you have a yard with a lot of space to cover, or large trees on your property that shed lots of leaves, a good leaf blower can make the most daunting leaf removal job much more manageable.

 

Top tool brands like DeWALT, Black & Decker, and Makita produce a variety of leaf blowers to meet every need and budget. Investing in a quality blower provides both versatility and power for countless tasks. A brushless motor blower delivers optimum air velocity, allowing you to move massive piles of leaves with ease. Some options even offer variable speed controls so you can lay off on the power when a more delicate touch is needed.

 

For light clean-up work, consider a cordless handheld blower. A lightweight, cordless design makes it a breeze to carry around to any corner of your yard where a few stray leaves may be hiding. Electric options offer a clean-running alternative to gas blowers.

 

Leaf blowers pack a powerful punch, but they may be overkill if you have a much smaller yard. In this case, a high-quality rake may be the more relevant, cost-effective choice for your needs.

No matter which tool you use, it’s important to stay on top of your leaves as they continue to fall throughout the season. If you let them accumulate too much, they become a hotbed for fungal activity. Largeleaf piles frequently hide pests like spiders, centipedes, ticks, and even snakes in some areas, as well.

 

If there’s rain in the forecast and you have a significant amount of leaves on the ground, it’s a good idea to remove them while they’re still dry and easily manageable. If you have a wooden deck in your backyard, you’ll also want to make sure to avoid letting too many wet leaves build up around it. The moisture will cause the wooden supports to rot, creating an unsafe environment for you and your family.


Cutting Off Dead Tree Branches

Dead tree branches can be dangerous any time of year, but especially during the winter. Heavy snowfall will weigh down even the strongest branches, potentially causing them to snap and fall. This can put your house, car, and even unsuspecting passersby directly in harm’s way.

 

You can avoid such unfortunate circumstances by removing wayward branches in the fall before the winter storms arrive. The right tool for the job depends on the size of the branches you’re planning to remove. For thin, pliable branches on smaller trees, a lopper or good pair of shears may be adequate for the task. These hand-operated tools allow you to cleanly cut off the branch in question without harming the rest of the tree.

 

If you’re looking to cut off a thick, hefty branch, a high-powered chainsaw is likely the ideal solution. Powered by gas or electricity, chainsaws can slice through even the toughest woods with ease. You can find a wide range of options available from recognizable brands like DeWALT, Makita, and Husqvarna, all delivering exceptional power, runtime, durability, and performance in a compact design for smaller branches and tasks.

 

Identify high-risk branches on your property, such as ones hanging closely over your roof or car. Choose the chainsaw that best suits the job, taking into account the size of the branch and its location. You want to be able to cut the branch while standing comfortably and securely. You should never attempt to cut a branch higher than your shoulder, and you should never use a chainsaw on a ladder.

 

Once the dead branches are out of the way, you can rest a little easier during the upcoming winter storms.

Other Important Fall Cleanup Tasks

While removing leaves and dead branches may be among the most prominent items on your to-do list, there are a few other jobs you’ll want to get done in the fall:

  • Give your lawn a final mow: You should continue to mow your lawn until it stops growing. This should occur when the temperature drops to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the grass if too long and unkempt, it’s much more likely that fungi and mold will fester. Trimming your lawn before winter hits will ensure it’s greener and healthier when spring arrives. You can also use a mulching lawn mower to fertilize your lawn before winter. A mulching mower cuts grass and leaves into very small particles that deliver nutrients back into the soil.
  • Prune your perennials: Perennials are plants that live longer than two years, and they include some of the flowers you might find in your garden, like peonies, irises, hydrangeas, and hibiscus. You should trim any dead foliage on your perennials in the fall. This will clear the way for new growth in the spring.
  • Clean your gutters: It’s a good idea to clear debris from your gutters before winter. Chances are, many of the falling leaves that don’t hit the ground are clogging up your gutters. If you expect significant snowfall in the winter, it’s important for your gutters to be clear so they can drain melting snow and ice.

Clean Up Your Yard Today and Be Prepared for Winter

Neglecting your yard during the fall is a costly mistake to make. You may be tempted to just pack it in and stay indoors as the cooler weather creeps in, but you - and your yard - will pay for it in the spring. Taking care of essential yard maintenance now, such as removing leaves with a leaf blower and cutting down dead branches with a chainsaw, will mean less work for you in the spring. You’ll also enjoy peace of mind throughout the winter knowing you don’t need to worry about rotten leaves damaging your lawn and plants, or falling branches crashing into your house or car.

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