As cooler nights settle in across Central Ohio, it’s time to get your lawn and landscape ready for the seasonal shift. Prepping your outdoor space before the first frost helps protect your investment, prevent costly repairs, and sets your yard up for a fresh start in spring.

Here’s our fall landscaping checklist to help you winterize your lawn, clean up your landscape, and get ahead of the game before temperatures drop. Let’s dig in.

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✅ 1. Clean Up Beds & Cut Back Perennials

Clear out any dead annuals, trim back perennials, and remove spent blooms. Not only does this improve curb appeal, but it helps prevent rot, mold, and pests from overwintering in your garden beds.

Pro Tip: Add a fresh layer of mulch after cleanup to insulate plant roots and suppress weeds through winter.

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✅ 2. Don’t Let Leaves Linger

Leaves are beautiful, but left sitting on your lawn they can smother grass, cause dead patches, and lead to snow mold. Regular raking—or a professional leaf removal service—keeps your lawn healthy and breathable.

Bonus: Leaves can be composted or shredded for mulch in beds.

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✅ 3. Winterize Your Irrigation System

Ohio winters aren’t kind to pipes. If you have a sprinkler system, be sure it’s properly shut down and blown out. Don’t forget to disconnect hoses, drain outdoor spigots, and insulate faucet covers to prevent burst pipes.

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✅ 4. Mow One Last Time & Feed the Lawn

Give your lawn a final cut, trimming grass slightly shorter to avoid matting under snow. Then, apply a winterizing fertilizer—packed with potassium—to strengthen roots and prep your turf for strong spring growth.

Need help? Our fall turf maintenance services take care of this for you.

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✅ 5. Sweep & Prep Your Hardscapes

Walkways, patios, and retaining walls deserve attention too. Sweep off debris, pull out weeds, and consider power washing or sealing your pavers before winter weather sets in.

Planning a new patio or wall in spring? Now is the perfect time to schedule a site evaluation and lock in early 2026 builds.

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✅ 6. Check Drainage + Clear Downspouts

Fall rains can reveal hidden drainage issues. Check that water flows away from your home, not toward it. Clear out gutters, check for erosion-prone areas, and inspect retaining walls for pooling water.

Need help? We specialize in grading and drainage solutions throughout Columbus and surrounding areas.

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✅ 7. Wrap Young Trees & Mulch Shrubs

If you’ve planted any new trees or shrubs this year, give them extra protection. Wrap trunks in burlap or tree guards and add mulch around the root zone to insulate against freeze/thaw cycles.

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✅ 8. Bring In or Cover Planters

Ceramic and concrete pots can crack in freezing temps. Either move them into a garage/shed or cover them with breathable fabric to shield from snow and ice. Empty pots should be turned upside down or stacked for protection.

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✅ 9. Book a Fall Cleanup with Scioto Green Gardens

Feeling behind? We’ve got you covered.

Our fall landscaping services include:

• Leaf removal & garden bed cleanup
  
• Turf care and winter prep
  
• Drainage & grading adjustments
  
• Project planning for spring installs
  

We service Columbus, Upper Arlington, Grandview, Hilliard, and surrounding areas with expert crews, pro-grade materials, and clean, efficient work.

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🍁 Before the Frost Falls, Let’s Get You Ready

Whether you’re planning a full turf install or just need a seasonal cleanup, now is the time to take action. Don’t wait for winter to sneak up on your property.

📍 Book your fall service or site evaluation today!