Just because the leaves are falling doesn’t mean it’s time to put away your landscaping plans. In fact, fall in Wisconsin is one of the best seasons to make improvements around your yard. Cooler temperatures and softer soils make outdoor work easier, and the projects you start now will set you up for a beautiful, low-stress spring. Here are a few landscaping tasks you can still tackle before winter sets in.
Planting Trees and Shrubs
Fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs in Madison. Without the stress of summer heat, new plantings can focus on developing strong root systems before the ground freezes. When spring arrives, they’ll be ready to grow and thrive.
Choosing hardy varieties suited to Wisconsin’s climate ensures long-lasting results. Deciduous trees and shrubs typically do well with fall planting, think crabapples, ornamental pears, oaks, Kentucky coffeetree, birches, winterberry, dogwood, serviceberry, and weigela. You can also plant evergreens in the fall, though they’re more prone to winter damage than dormant trees and shrubs.
The key to success is keeping new plantings well-watered until the ground freezes and protecting roots with a layer of mulch or straw to insulate them through the cold months.
Add Bulbs for Spring Color
If you want a pop of color to greet you after the cold months ahead, now’s the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, lilies, hyacinths, garlic, ornamental alliums, and crocuses are all perfect for fall planting. Be sure to pick healthy bulbs, plant them at the recommended depth, and cover them with mulch for insulation.
Come spring, you’ll be rewarded with vibrant blooms. Many seeds can also overwinter successfully, though there’s always a chance they could be eaten by rodents, another reason to add a protective layer of mulch or straw.
Install or Refresh Garden Beds
Fall is a smart time to prepare or upgrade your garden beds. Adding fresh edging, mulch, or soil now will give your plants a head start in the growing season. It’s also a good opportunity to remove invasive plants or overgrown species, since many have slowed down their growth in cooler weather.
Hardscaping Projects
From patios and retaining walls to walkways and firepits, fall is still a great time for hardscaping projects. The ground is workable, crews are often more available than in peak summer, and completing these projects now means your outdoor living space will be ready to enjoy as soon as warm weather returns.
Lawn Renovation and Overseeding
If you’ve noticed bare or thinning patches in your lawn, fall is the prime time to overseed. Cooler nights and morning dew create ideal conditions for seed germination. Pair overseeding with aeration for even better results, helping your grass grow thick and healthy come spring.
There’s still time to make meaningful improvements to your property before winter sets in. LawnCare Plus can help with everything from planting and bed prep to hardscaping and tree care. Call us today for a free estimate and let’s get your yard taken care of.