So, now that it’s just before the snow flies, it’s time to tidy up your indoors and outdoors. Here’s a list of stuff you can do to get your place ready with fall cleanup:

Outdoor Cleanup

  • fall-cleanupLeaf cleanup–get that blower out and take out all those larch needles (see what we have here.)
  • Trim the trees and hedges–fall’s the prime time for pruning (see our pruners and hedge trimmers.)
  • Clean the gutters–gutter cleaners and brushes come in handy. (Check out our previous blog post for more tips on gutter and roof care.)
  • Compost away–with all the leaves (and, if you’re a gardener, any garden leftovers), it’s the best way of getting free fertilizer ready for spring. If you chip up all those branches you pruned, that makes great mulch too. Spread any deciduous tree leaves on your garden beds–it’s the best fertilizer ever invented.
  • Prep your soil–fall is a great time to add soil amendments such as compost, since the ground’s dryer than early spring and so is less likely to compact and make your efforts a whole lot harder
  • Winterize your potted plants–replace the soil. For more on keeping indoor plants, check out this helpful article here.
  • Aerate and dethach your lawn–learn more from our previous post. If you’re in Polson, try out our equipment rentals. If you’re in the Kalispell or Whitefish area, visit Midway Rentals.
  • Get your roses winterized–if you have winter hardy varieties the most you have to do is
    • Don’t prune until spring–if you must, seal the wound with Vaseline.
    • Put a few shovels of compost over the crown of the plant
    • Give the plant some non-nitrogen fertilizer like Epsom salts; this promotes root growth, not new cane growth. Stop any other kind of fertilizer 6 weeks before your first frost to keep the plant from trying to grow in the winter.
    • Water well and mulch
    • If you’re unsure about your plant’s hardiness, mound 6-12 inches of mulch over the crown. Don’t dig into the rosebud to get the dirt: you might damage the roots. Remove the earth carefully in spring after all danger of frost is past.
    • Keep your roses temperature consistent–don’t let it get too cold, and don’t let it freeze and thaw only to freeze again.
    • If your plant is a climber, wrap the canes with insulating material. (Sources: For Dummies, Spring Valley Roses.)
  • Take care of your lawn–try spreading Scott’s Step® 4 Fall Lawn Food on your lawn and let it soak in this winter.

Pick up everything you need for fall cleanup at your local WBC.

Enjoy these Do it Best Videos on fall cleanup below:

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