Everything you need to do before winter hits your yard, organized as a simple checklist for GTA homeowners.
The GTA Fall Cleanup Window Is Shorter Than You Think
Fall in the GTA moves fast. By the time the leaves are fully down and you've got a free weekend, the ground can already be frozen or snow can arrive unexpectedly. This checklist is designed to help you work through fall prep efficiently so nothing gets missed before winter locks in.
Lawn Tasks
Final mow at 6 to 7 cm before end of October. Aerate if you haven't done it this year, fall aeration is ideal for GTA's clay-heavy soils. Apply a high-potassium winterizer fertilizer 2 to 4 weeks before freeze. Overseed thin or bare patches while soil is still warm. Clear all fallen leaves, never leave them matted on your lawn over winter. Dethatch if your lawn has more than 1 cm of thatch buildup.
Garden Beds
Cut back perennials after the first hard frost, or leave ornamental grasses and seed heads for winter interest. Remove annuals and add them to the compost. Dig up tender bulbs (dahlias, cannas, gladioli) and store indoors. Add 5 to 8 cm of mulch to protect perennial root systems from freeze-thaw heaving. Weed beds thoroughly, fall weeding is far easier than spring because weeds haven't set seed yet.
Trees and Shrubs
Avoid heavy pruning of trees and shrubs in early fall, it stimulates new growth that can be damaged by frost. Light shaping is fine. Wrap young or tender trees and shrubs with burlap to protect from wind and ice damage. Water trees and shrubs deeply before the ground freezes, this is especially important for evergreens which continue to lose moisture through their needles in winter.
Drainage and Water
Check that all downspouts are directing water away from your foundation. Clean gutters of leaves and debris, clogged gutters cause ice dams and water damage. Blow out in-ground irrigation systems before freeze. Disconnect and store garden hoses. Shut off exterior water supply valves. Store any garden fountains or birdbaths inside, or at minimum drain them completely.
Hardscaping and Equipment
Power wash driveways, patios, and walkways before winter: removing organic material prevents staining, moss, and algae growth under snow. Fill cracks in concrete or asphalt before they expand with ice. Bring in patio furniture or cover it properly. Drain and store gasoline from your lawn mower, or add fuel stabilizer. Sharpen mower blades for spring. Store snow clearing equipment where it's accessible.
When to Call in the Pros
If your yard is large, your schedule is full, or you just want it done right, professional fall cleanup services make sense. Lawn By Moe's fall cleanup packages cover leaf removal, final mowing, garden bed prep, and more across Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Etobicoke, Milton, Burlington, and surrounding areas. One call handles the whole list.
Want Us to Handle It?
Lawn By Moe is based in Milton and serves Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills, Brampton and the GTA. Free quotes, usually the same day.
