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This is the easy fall yard cleanup list everyone needs because it is simple and based on science!

Even if you don’t have much time and find yourself busy during the fall months, it is important to tackle these few tips to make sure your yard stays healthy along with your home and limit the possibility of pests.

Here are my top fall yard cleanup tips.

Easy Fall Yard Clean Up List Everyone Needs

Before we begin this article, read this:

I get many questions whenever I shared a lawn and garden post, so I wanted to address this first. All climates are slightly different when it comes to lawn and garden care, so you can go to your local nursery or local extension agent to ask more specific tips for your climate. For instance, I live in Texas and we can be in a drought during the fall and winter months, so we usually need to water our plants and trees this time of year. If you live in a wet climate, this wouldn’t be a good idea. So, always double check with local experts for your area if you have questions!

These are the tips I use personally around my home for an easy fall cleanup.

Scroll down towards the bottom for fall yard tools!

Tip#1 Clean Your Gutters

The science behind cleaning out your gutters is very simple, but also very important. Gutter cleaning is a crucial task, especially in the fall, due to the seasonal changes and potential for severe weather in the upcoming winter months.  While gutters aren’t in your yard, they do impact your yard and home, so keeping them clean is important.  

Why is gutter cleaning so important?

If you don’t clean your gutters out, water can accumulate. When water accumulates in clogged gutters, the pressure on the walls and joints increases. This can lead to leaks or even structural damage.  

Over time, the force of water can erode the materials used in gutters and downspouts. This can cause them to deteriorate and fail.

Along with damage, clogged gutters can create stagnant pools of water, providing an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. Standing water can also attract pests, such as mosquitoes, rodents, and insects.

During the fall, gutters will accumulate more leaves and debris than usual, so it is a good time of year to clean them out. If you can only tackle one task this fall for your yard cleanup, this is a good one to do.

Tip #2 Clean Leaves Out of Flower Beds And Lawns

Clearing fall leaves from flower beds and yards is more than just making things look nice. It’s a crucial practice that has significant implications for the health of your plants, soil, and overall lawn ecosystem. When leaves decompose, they release nitrogen, a vital nutrient for plant growth. However, if leaves are left to decompose in thick layers, they can tie up nitrogen, making it less available to plants. A thick layer of leaves can prevent oxygen from reaching the soil, leading to soil compaction. This can hinder root growth and nutrient absorption.

Cleaning leaves out of the flower beds and lawns is also really important for keeping disease and pests away. Many pests and diseases overwinter in leaf litter. By removing most of the leaves, you eliminate potential breeding grounds for these organisms.

The key to this is removing THICK layers of leaves. There is also scientific evidence that keeping some fallen leaves around your lawn and garden area can provide a type of mulch and might help balance the eco-system. I think a good balance is the important part of this to make sure plants keep the nitrogen and oxygen they need through winter. Excessive and thick leaf build up is the concern in flower beds and lawns.

Tip #3  Aerate The Soil

I have done this almost every autumn for the last 10 years. I bought these little aeration devices to put on your shoes, and I will aerate the lawn by walking around with them.

Why should you aerate the soil in the fall? Aeration is a vital practice in lawn care, particularly in the fall. The science behind this is simple, but very important. It involves puncturing the soil with holes to improve air, water, and nutrient circulation. Aeration allows oxygen to penetrate deeper into the soil, promoting healthy root growth.

Aerated soil also allows water to infiltrate more slowly, reducing runoff and erosion. It also helps strengthen roots before the winter months, enabling the lawn to better withstand cold temperatures and harsh conditions.

Handy Yard Tools For Fall Cleanup

Along with the easy fall yard cleanup tips above we shared based on simple science, you should also check out some simple tools to make your cleanup easier and quicker! Not to mention, less back breaking.

Leaf Blower

If you have endless trees and leaves, think about a leaf blower. I got this one for my dad who is in his 70s and has dozens of trees. The leaves they have in the fall are endless, so I got him a leaf blower. Game changer for him and it cuts down on his yard work.

Gutter Cleaning Tools

We mentioned gutter cleaning above, but did you know they make tools for this ? These tools make it even easier and more efficient to clean your gutters.They also have a hose attachment you can use to clean gutters. 

Lawn Aerator Tool

I shared my favorite aeration shoes, but there are several other options.  There are lawn aerator tools you can use like a shovel around your yard. We have one of these as well, and if the soil is softer, it is great to use!

Don’t forget to save your fall laves:

If you have a large supply of fall laves, check out this post we have on the science behind the fall leaf and ways to use it for something interesting around your home. 

Make The Most Of The Autumn Season With These Tips

Autumn is the perfect time to do yard work like these tips, but also enjoy the sounds, smells and slowness of this time of year. Enjoy more ideas in our autumn tab here. 

 

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