5 Fall Landscaping Tips to Prepare Your Yard for Winter

As autumn approaches, smart preparation can make the difference between a stressed landscape and one that emerges beautifully in spring. Minnesota winters are tough on plants, but with proper fall care, your yard can weather the cold and thrive when warmer days return.

1. Deep Watering Before Freeze

Give your trees and shrubs a thorough watering before the ground freezes. Well-hydrated plants handle winter stress much better than thirsty ones. Focus especially on evergreens, which continue losing moisture through their needles all winter long.

2. Strategic Leaf Management

Don't just rake and bag everything. Shred leaves with your mower to create natural mulch for flower beds. This protects plant roots and feeds the soil as it decomposes. However, keep thick leaf layers off your grass to prevent suffocation and disease.

3. Final Fertilization Timing

Apply a slow-release fertilizer to your lawn in late fall. This feeds the grass roots through winter and gives you a head start on spring growth. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that encourage tender growth vulnerable to frost damage.

4. Protect Tender Plants

Wrap young trees in burlap to prevent sun scald and wind damage. Mulch around the base of roses and other borderline-hardy plants. Cover tender perennials with a thick layer of straw or leaves after the ground begins to freeze.

5. Clean Up Disease Sources

Remove diseased leaves and fallen fruit from your yard. These harbor pathogens that can reinfect plants next spring. Proper sanitation now prevents many problems later and keeps your landscape healthier year-round.