Our Fall Yard Clean Up Package typically includes:
- Leaf removal
- Pruning trees and shrubs
- Cutting back overgrown plants
- Mowing and edging the lawn
- Cleaning out garden beds
- Mulching to protect plants from frost
Just as spring is about fresh starts, fall is about getting things in order before the quiet of winter sets in.
As the fall season winds down and winter approaches in Seattle, maintaining your yard can present unique challenges. With the Pacific Northwest’s wet climate, yard maintenance can become tricky, especially during rainy periods.
Challenges of Wet Weather Yard Work
- Wet leaves, soggy soil, and soaked bushes make yard maintenance more difficult
- Leaves become heavy and slippery, making raking and clearing more time-consuming
- Wet soil can make pruning and cutting more difficult
Balancing Personal Style with Neighborhood Expectations
However, keeping up with yard work in late fall is essential to prepare your landscape for winter and ensure that it remains in good shape for the spring.
Preparing for Winter: Why Fall Maintenance Matters
Late fall is the perfect time to tackle essential yard tasks, even if the weather isn’t ideal. Wet leaves, damp soil, and constant rain can make the job more difficult, but addressing these issues now can prevent more significant problems in the winter. For example, wet leaves left unattended can smother your lawn, promote fungal growth, and make the yard slippery and unsafe. Additionally, overgrown plants and shrubs can become more unruly when spring arrives if left unchecked.
Receiving Lee’s Fall Yard Service: A 4-Step Process
- Schedule Appointment: Request quote with details
- On-Site Analysis: Project manager assesses site, provides recommendations & quote
- Service & Cleanup: Team arrives, works, and cleans up
- Enjoy Your Fresh Yard!: Relax and appreciate the results!
Our customer Kristin M. shares her experience with us during a rainy fall clean-up:
“Our yard was a mess. Mr. Lee and his crew came the day after he gave me the estimate. It had been raining for days and continued to rain while they worked. Those leaves must have been really terrible to work with. And pruning in the drippy trees and bushes was probably miserable. But Mr. Lee and his crew were cheerful, efficient, and thorough. The yard looks amazing, better than it has in a long, long time.”
Challenges of Wet Weather Yard Work
Seattle’s notorious rainy season can make yard maintenance more challenging, but it’s no excuse to delay essential tasks. Wet leaves, soggy soil, and soaked bushes can all be more difficult to manage than dry conditions. Leaves become heavy and slippery, making raking and clearing more time-consuming. Wet soil can make pruning and cutting more difficult, and the overall dampness makes some work less comfortable.
Holiday Season and Yard Maintenance
- Many customers prefer to get their final yard clean-ups done before the holidays
- Lee’s General Landscaping takes a break during the winter months and resumes in the spring
Despite these challenges, we at Lee’s General Landscaping prefer to work on dry days but are fully equipped to handle yard clean-ups during wet conditions. Our crew is experienced in finding windows of opportunity to get the job done efficiently. Whether it’s a brief dry spell or a lighter rain, we ensure that our customers’ yards are taken care of before the winter months set in.
Shifting Weather Patterns:
- Cooler temperatures and occasional rain showers start to return, providing some relief from the dry summer but also increasing moisture in the soil.
Lawn Recovery:
- Lawns may begin to recover from summer drought stress, especially if irrigation or rainfall is adequate. It’s a good time for overseeding to repair bare patches.
Fall Planting Season:
- Mid-September is ideal for planting new shrubs, perennials, and trees, as the soil is still warm but the air is cooler. It encourages strong root growth before winter.
Weed Growth Control:
- Weeds tend to thrive as the moisture increases. Continued weeding or lawn fertilization helps manage fall weed outbreaks.
Pruning and Deadheading:
- Some plants may still need pruning or deadheading to remove summer growth and prepare them for winter dormancy.
Mulching and Soil Enrichment:
- Adding mulch or compost helps protect plants during temperature fluctuations and improves soil health. It also helps retain moisture as the soil begins to cool.
Falling Leaves and Yard Clean-Up:
- As leaves begin to fall, raking and collecting debris becomes more frequent. Fallen leaves can be used for composting or mulching.
Perennial Care:
- Late summer perennials may begin to fade, so it’s important to cut back spent flowers and prepare plants for the cooler months.
Pest and Disease Management:
- Increased moisture may lead to issues like fungal diseases, particularly in lawns and plants that have been weakened from the summer heat.
Why Fall Clean-Up Saves Trouble Later
Addressing yard maintenance now can prevent more significant issues during the winter months. Overgrown plants and shrubs, if left unpruned, can become unmanageable and require even more work in the spring.
Wet leaves left on the lawn can smother the grass, leading to bald patches and potential moss or fungal growth. By taking action now, you avoid a heavier workload come springtime and ensure your yard stays healthy year-round.
By tackling these tasks before winter hits, you’re setting up your yard for success when the growing season returns.
Importance of Fall Clean-Up
- Prevents more significant problems in winter
- Overgrown plants and shrubs can become unmanageable if left unpruned
- Wet leaves left on the lawn can smother grass and lead to bald patches and potential moss or fungal growth
Slowing Down for the Holidays
As we approach the holiday season, our work season tends to wind down. Many of our customers prefer to get their final yard clean-ups done before the holidays, so their homes look their best for the season and are prepared for winter.
After this, we take a break until the spring season, when we kick off with a wave of spring cleaning and yard preparation.
As Kristin’s experience shows, it’s always a good idea to act now:
“The yard looks amazing, better than it has in a long, long time. It was worth every penny.”
Benefits of Fall Yard Maintenance
- Saves time and money in the long run
- Ensures your yard stays healthy year-round
- Sets up your yard for success when the growing season returns
Conclusion
Maintaining your yard during the late fall in Seattle may come with a few challenges, especially with wet conditions. However, staying on top of yard maintenance before winter sets in can save you time, money, and stress when spring arrives.
Whether you need leaf removal, pruning, or a full yard clean-up, we at Lee’s General Landscaping are here to ensure your yard is ready for the season. Our efficiency and dedication guarantee your yard will be in top shape, rain or shine!
