Fall cleanup is essential for property health—left unattended, leaves smother lawns, debris harbors pests and disease, and unprepared landscapes suffer preventable winter damage. This comprehensive checklist ensures you don’t miss any critical tasks as you prepare your Fort Wayne property for winter.

Fall Cleanup Master Checklist

Lawn Care Tasks

• Continue mowing until grass stops growing
• Gradually lower mowing height to 2.5" final cut
• Remove all leaves before snow
• Aerate if not done already
• Apply winterizer fertilizer
• Overseed thin areas (early fall)

Leaf Management

• Remove leaves from lawn weekly
• Clear leaves from beds and borders
• Keep leaves out of gutters
• Compost or dispose properly
• Final cleanup before first snow

Garden and Bed Tasks

• Cut back perennials (most, not all)
• Remove annual plants
• Pull weeds before they set seed
• Apply fresh mulch (2-3 inches)
• Protect tender plants

Tree and Shrub Care

• Remove dead/damaged branches
• Wrap young/tender trees
• Apply deer deterrent if needed
• Clean up fallen fruit/debris
• Water deeply before ground freezes

Irrigation and Watering

• Winterize irrigation system
• Drain hoses and store
• Shut off exterior faucets
• Water landscape before freeze

Equipment Storage

• Clean and store mower
• Sharpen tools for spring
• Drain fuel or use stabilizer
• Store furniture and planters

Why Fall Cleanup Matters

Prevent lawn damage:

• Smothered grass dies
• Promotes snow mold
• Creates bare spots

Reduce pest/disease:

• Removes pest habitat
• Eliminates disease sources
• Breaks pest cycles

Prepare for spring:

• Less work in spring
• Better spring green-up
• Healthier landscape

Our leaf removal services take fall cleanup off your plate.

Request a Free Quote or call us at (260) 450-4676 for professional fall cleanup services.

Adam Minnick is the owner of Minnick Lawn & Landscaping, serving Fort Wayne, Auburn, and Northeast Indiana since 2018.