As the seasons shift and temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to turn your attention to end-of-season landscaping. Whether you’re preparing for winter or simply closing out the growing season, a little effort now can save you time, money, and stress in the months ahead. From lawn care to hardscape protection, here’s your complete end-of-season landscaping checklist to keep your outdoor space healthy and ready for the next season.
Before you pack away the mower, give your lawn one last trim—ideally to about 2 to 2.5 inches in height. Follow it up with a fall fertilizer application to strengthen the roots and prepare your grass for the colder months.
Bonus Tip:
Use a winterizing fertilizer high in potassium for better cold tolerance.
Letting leaves pile up can suffocate your lawn and lead to mold or disease. Rake and remove fallen leaves, sticks, and garden debris from:
Clean spaces not only look better—they also prevent pest infestations and plant diseases.
Now’s a great time to prune overgrown or damaged branches. Removing dead limbs helps prevent breakage during snow or ice storms and keeps plants healthier over winter.
Cut back dying perennials, divide overcrowded plants, and add mulch around garden beds to insulate roots through the cold season. This also helps reduce weed growth in early spring.
Pro tip:
Use 2–3 inches of organic mulch like bark or shredded leaves.
Prevent freezing and pipe bursts by draining your irrigation lines or hiring a professional to blow them out. Also remember to:
Before winter hits, make sure your tools and outdoor gear are clean and safely stored:
Doing this now extends the life of your tools and ensures they’re ready come spring.
If you have patio furniture, pergolas, or water features, now’s the time to winterize them:
Before you close the door on the season, take note of what worked—and what didn’t. Start thinking about:
Taking the time to properly close out the landscaping season will help you avoid costly damage, protect your investment, and ensure a smoother start when the warm weather returns. Think of it as hitting the reset button—your future self will thank you!
