As the leaves change colour, landscaping professionals plan and prepare their final projects and maintenance requirements before winter sets in. In today’s article, we are getting you ready for fall! We will talk about essential landscape supplies, mulch, the use of landscape lighting, and much more.

Create a landscape checklist

The fall season brings a burst of seasonal color, which makes it an exciting time to work on various landscaping projects. If you are a landscaping professional, you know the demand for your service is very high during the fall season. That’s why, in order to save you some time, we have created a perfect landscaping checklist.

– Final mow of the season

Finish your lawn before winter arrives, and stay prepared for the harsh season ahead. Depending on the weather in your area, October or November is best for the final mow of the season. Keep the length at 2 inches. This length is recommended to prevent moisture retention, winter lawn diseases, and rodents. A good rule of thumb is to keep an eye on falling leaves! Once the last leaf falls, complete the last mow!

– Mulch

Mulch has two main attributes which complement each other, functional and decorative. Mulch supports garden beds by encouraging healthy plant roots, discouraging soil erosion, maintaining moisture levels, preventing weeds, and offering protection by insulating the soil from harsh weather elements.

Mulch provides a protective layer to shield the ground below as the soil contracts and expands due to temperature fluctuations. Dressing garden beds and plant life with mulch will help prevent the damage caused by freeze and thaw cycles.

– Add compost

If you want your landscape design to look beautiful and polished in the fall, use compost or mulch to help keep it looking pristine. Composting with leaves and wood is one of the best ways to keep your garden healthy and beautiful during this season.

However, using mushroom compost is even better. At FSI Landscape Supply, we carry mushroom compost, a mix of peat moss, manure, and decomposed mushrooms. This product is an excellent fertilizer for flower beds, gardens, and top-dressing lawns.

– Fertilize and aerate the lawn

The garden will have to store lots of nutrients during the harsh winter weather. You can add fertilizers and aerate the lawn to ensure it holds nutrients.

Aerating your lawn is like breaking up the soil so air, moisture, and nutrients can get down to the roots. It also helps prevent compaction so that your grass can grow. Aeration also improves drainage, which helps prevent the effects of a soggy, wet winter.

Take care of lawns with a high-potassium, low-nitrogen fertilizer. Over time, it will help strengthen the lawn and help it last through the winter.

– Be sure to discuss which plants your clients would love to see in the spring.

The fall season is the perfect to schedule some time to analyze your inventory of what did well and which items will be in high demand next spring.

Try suggesting flowers and plants like calendula, cornflowers, cosmos, and bachelor buttons. These suggestions are just a few examples to help make the garden beautiful for spring. So, ask your clients which flower (or plant) they would like to see as a sign of approaching spring in their garden.

– Fall is an excellent time to begin planting for the spring.

Fall is the best time of year to plant flowers, vegetables, and herbs for the spring. The cool temperatures encourage strong root growth without activating top growth.

– Be sure that all the outdoor lights are working properly.

Any property can be enhanced by adding some strategic landscape lighting. This is a great way to highlight upgrades or changes made to the garden! Landscape lighting is essential for many reasons; one is to supply illumination to navigate the property safely. As we slowly approach the colder months, it begins to get dark out much earlier. It is vital to check all lighting fixtures before the cold settles in.

Be sure to check the following:

• Blown out light bulbs, especially around steps, walkways, and entrances.
• Water dripping through any lighting fixture.
• Check that bulbs and extension cords are outdoor and season friendly.

– Check hardscaped areas

Check hardscaped areas for cracks, shifts, and fractures. Make sure that any retaining walls, walkways, or steps are in good shape for the upcoming winter. Ice forming in cracks will only make the problem worse. As the weather changes, high winds and other harsh elements can knock over and potentially drag furnishings across the landscape, resulting in chips, dents, and scratches. Be sure to store away outdoor furniture and décor safely. A high-quality sealer should be applied seasonally to maintain the appearance and integrity of any natural stone.

– Pounds or fountains should be cleaned, drained, and covered.

Suppose your client has a pond or fountain on their property; cleaning it up for the winter season is essential. This will ensure they are protected and ready for next spring when you can use them again! Be sure to remove any water pumps from the body of water and clean them out thoroughly. Store any equipment somewhere dry for the winter.

Once the pumps are removed, drain the water feature and let it air dry. If water is left over, it will freeze and therefore contract and expand, leading to cracked and damaged pipes.

If the water feature can be moved, keep it covered and stored somewhere safe where it can not tip over.

If they are not easy to move, you need a cover to keep precipitation from collecting in and around the fountain’s openings. Any significant gaps should be stuffed with thick material to prevent small critters from nesting.

Ponds with fish can be a tricky investment, but they can also yield big rewards. A few things to consider are pond netting, which is essential to keep leaves and debris out of the water. Stop the water pumps and filters, as the fish need to enter hibernation calmly. It is also essential to have the air pump running, as you don’t want water to freeze completely, which is necessary for degassing.

Stock up on essential landscaping supplies.

Being a landscaping professional, you need certain products available in your inventory. Here are some essential landscaping supplies you’ll need to execute successful projects this fall season.

Mulch

Mulch is an essential item for landscaping and looks as good as it is useful. Think of it as a decorative element, but it does much more than that: it’s great for retaining moisture in your home, suppressing weeds, keeping the soil cool, and protecting the plant systems, therefore allowing them to grow healthier.

Grass Seed

Your clients don’t want to see a dull and dry lawn after the snow finally melts away during the spring. That’s why grass seed and fertilizers are essential to keep the property packed with nutrients throughout the winter.

Fertilizers

It is advised that landscaping professionals should apply one last dose of fertilizer 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes in order to help it get a better root system. Using cattle manure that has aged well can be used to act as compost and fertilizer.

Soil

Soil is always something you’ll need to have a lot on hand. It can be used in various applications, and when you use it correctly, your soil is sure to get the job done! Depending on the composition, different soils are used for various purposes.

Here at FSI Landscape Supply, we provide quality planting soil mix. This soil is the ideal mix of shredded topsoil and premium triple mix (rich, organic soil is excellent for flowerbeds, gardens, and top-dressing lawns.). The shredded topsoil gives the garden’s soil more body and substance, while the triple mix ensures its organic content. This soil is excellent for new plantings and deep-filled planters.

Plan to add color.

You know fall has arrived the minute the leaves change into beautiful warm colours.

A quick way to update your landscape design is with festive decor and splashes of natural colour with season-friendly flowers.

Below is a list of seasonal plants that will bloom through the fall.

• Hostas
• Daylilies
• Daisies
• Peonies
• Chrysanthemums

Ornamental grass is recommended to add some color, texture, and movement. Some ornamental grasses are hardy enough to survive our winter seasons and can be planted year-round.

You can also add some outdoor rugs, floor lanterns, or seating with a pillow and a blanket to make the outdoors cozier.

The importance of planning for your fall garden is that it will give you a good foundation for the winter season ahead. You can save time and effort by planning and organizing the necessary materials in order to execute the project design. Want to know where to find all your landscaping essentials? Contact FSI Landscape Supply today!