Fall Landscaping in Lincoln, NE

As we are entering the time of year where the green is giving way to a gorgeous display of autumn hues, it also signals that it’s go time on yard projects in an effort to get everything in order before the arrival of winter. In the fall we often focus on tying up loose ends and addressing anything that’s been waiting in the wings because it’s best done this time of year in addition to the annual list of general grounds maintenance tasks.

“Make sure that you prepare your lawn for winter so that it not only survives, but thrives next season,” advises Lee Schumacher of TDK Lawn Care. “This includes clearing all debris, especially leaves, and applying a winterizer. A winterizer is a late fall fertilizing treatment designed to help lawns store more food for winter survival and to encourage thick, rapid growth and rooting in the spring. A winterizer isn’t meant to encourage fall growth of grass; it is the finishing touch now for a good start in the spring. Early fall fertilizing, which can still be done in October too, is widely considered the most important fertilizer of the year for northern grasses. The best time to apply a winterizer is after the grass stops growing in the fall, but while it is still green. In Nebraska, this will be sometime in late October all the way up until mid- to late November in some instances. Basically, when you put the mower away for the year, apply winterizer to your lawn.

Aerating and overseeding are also a good idea. This will also promote root growth; the stronger the root system, the better chance your lawn will have to withstand the harsh winter conditions in Nebraska every year. Also, fall is a great time for planting trees—it may seem strange, but especially after the leaves have fallen off. As with your lawn, this gives the tree a chance to grow a strong root system prior to dormancy while not being stressed out trying to create leaves. Preparing your lawn for the winter is fairly easy and not terribly time consuming, but it is also something that is often overlooked and with detrimental results.”

As for landscaping projects, the optimal approach is two-fold: handle what needs to be done now and plan for the coming year (yes, already!).

Marcus Hellwege, owner of Great Plains Landscaping & Design and Great Plains Epoxy, offers the following advice:

“Meet with your landscape designer and create a good design and landscape plan for the winter and the following year.  This will help you stay within your budget and will also help your indoor/outdoor space flow as well as allowing for easy maintenance during those tough winter months.  Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs too, so get on the calendar early this fall to get your plans in place.

September is the ideal time to aerate and seed, but if you haven’t gotten there yet, make sure it’s attended to as soon as possible. I’m often asked if it’s a good idea to trim shrubs and grasses back in the fall, and my advice is to wait until early spring for a trim as the leaves provide protection for plants throughout the winter. If you do move forward with a fall cleanup make sure you mulch around the crown of the plants for extra protection. Finally, make sure your spaces are neat and tidy prior to winter so that your plants and beds in close proximity to your porch, walkways, driveways and any other point of access do not get damaged during the snow removal process.”

He adds, “With the addition of our epoxy flooring division, we are getting a lot of requests for outdoor flooring space. Most often this is due to the fact that the homeowner’s concrete has matured and looks a bit tired and worn down. We have helped numerous homeowners’ vision become a reality for these spaces by resurfacing with epoxy and concrete overlay. For outdoor spaces, we offer everything from flake to mica and lava flow.  Did I mention this option is a fraction of the cost of replacing the current flooring?

Whether it’s landscaping or flooring, get on the calendar with us now as dates are filling up.  We would be happy to come out and help you get a plan in place.”

With the exception of a few select things, the majority of projects that can be done during the regular growing season can be done in the fall too. Similar to landscaping in the spring, when it comes to assessing what should take priority some projects are best suited for late summer and fall. “Renovating your lawn can be done at any time during the season, but fall is the optimal time,” advises Ken Svoboda, owner of Ray’s Lawn and Landscape. “The soil is still warm, the rains are a bit more frequent, the sun does not have the scorching effect it does in July and August, and finally you’re not competing with heavy weed growth and turf feeding insects. The same holds true for landscape projects. You will generally receive a better value on your landscape material in the fall as growers and retailers are offering end-of-season discounts. You’re also getting a full year’s worth of growth for the cost of the plant when calibrated in the early spring.”

Specifically addressing the do-it-yourselfers or those who are contemplating going in that direction for this year’s landscaping endeavors, he adds, “Landscaping isn’t something to fear or dread. I help clients design and install their own landscapes quite often. Most homeowners take great pride in their homes and their properties. Along with the feeling of accomplishment comes a sense of fulfilment and even a touch of therapy while working outdoors.

Preparing your living landscape for winter is extremely important. Ensuring the root system is adequately covered is key to the long term health of the plant. Where most homeowners fail is in providing enough water to the plant’s root ball going into winter. Just because there are no leaves on the plant doesn’t mean the plant is fully dormant. Evergreens, both broadleaf and needle, need plenty of water going into winter. As long as the ground isn’t frozen solid and still accepts the moisture without running off you should maintain regular watering.

If you’re considering a fall landscape project and need the assistance of a professional, don’t wait any longer. Good landscapers are very busy in the fall and the chances of getting a late season project started yet this year may be winding down. However, that doesn’t mean you should not make contact with the professional now. Some work may be able to begin this year with completion of the project in the spring. If we have a nice long fall then you’re ahead of the game. Ray’s Lawn & Landscape is a full service lawn care provider as well as a complete landscape firm. Our imagination for a landscape project at your home is only limited by your budget and you’d be surprised how much imagination you get for your dollar at Ray’s. We offer free, no-obligation estimates which in many cases include a scaled full size drawing and itemized quote. Ray’s Lawn and Landscape has been serving the Lincoln and southeast Nebraska market for nearly forty-nine years and the testimonials from our many satisfied customers are a tribute to the hard work and dedication instilled in the second generation ownership from Ray himself.”

In agreement with our landscaping professionals, Jeremy Hunt of Hunt Irrigation offers corresponding irrigation-focused tips:

“Fall is a great time to add or revise your landscaping. The weather is typically cooler and establishment is much easier.  When renovating landscape it is important to remember that major bed renovations will also require adapting your irrigation system.  Sprinkler heads that are trapped inside new or existing landscapes will reduce the coverage of turf areas causing stress to the turf and even over watering some plant material.

Landscape is a major investment, whether on a residential or commercial project, so again, consult with both your landscaper and irrigation professional. While you are updating or adding landscape beds consider irrigating the beds with drip irrigation.  When properly installed, drip irrigation can enhance the plant’s health and ensure that your landscaping will thrive for years to come.

When installing foundation border landscapes, drip irrigation is a great addition.  Drip uses approximately 50% less water than aerial delivery systems, it is more precise, more controllable, and requires less weeding of landscape areas.  With the drier weather Eastern Nebraska has been experiencing it is also a great way to keep the soil moist around the foundation of your home to assist in preventing foundation shift.

Fall is also a great time to have your irrigation system audited.  If your irrigation system is older and has not been tuned up in at least the last two years, it is time for a check-up.  Just as you perform maintenance to your car, furnace/AC or your lawn mower, your irrigation system also needs a little attention from time to time.  Always keep your eyes out for the obvious such as broken heads, leaky valves, squishy areas in the lawn, but also look for signs of stress or uneven watering.  If there are areas of your yard that look greener than others or you have high and low areas consider giving your irrigation professional a call as this could be something as simple as cleaning a nozzle obstruction or it could be a sign that your irrigation system is not designed correctly.  Proper water distribution (matched precipitation) is a very important part of your sprinkler system’s operation and your turf’s health.”

Since outdoor living spaces are still all the rage moving into fall, you may also be considering this type of project yet this year. In terms of benefits, adding square feet to your home by way of outdoor living space enhances the value and your enjoyment of your property. There are many ways homeowners can improve or add interest to outdoor living and entertaining spaces to make them comfortable and inviting.

“Decks and patios are not just for summer use; more and more people are extending their use of outdoor living space into the fall months,” notes Bill Budler, owner of Nebraska Outdoor Living Center. “With the cooler evenings the two most popular products are retractable screens and fire pits.

Modern retractable solar screen systems are designed to block the sun during the summer and keep the heat out. During the fall and winter the screen keeps the heat in! Systems that feature side retention of the screens even help tame the wind. Some of our clients refer to it as their ‘three season room’.

Another popular option for outdoor living is a gas fire pit. Unlike a wood burning pit the gas fire pit is convenient to start. When you’re done there’s no need to drag out a bucket of water, with gas you simply turn it off. There are no messy ashes to deal with and you don’t have to worry about hot cinders. There’s something really special about gathering around a comfortable cozy fire this time of year.”

With cooler temperatures, fireplaces are being fired up all across town too. While most people don’t think about their fireplace during times of the year when we are enjoying warmer temperatures, masonry repairs are ideally performed in warm weather so that the mortar sets up correctly. We may get lucky and still have a little time yet this month in case you run into any complications, so if you haven’t already inspected your fireplace, and the part of the chimney that’s exposed to the elements in particular, you’ll want to do that as soon as possible. For optimal function as well as the best possible color match to the existing brick, you’ll want to have a professional help you find the right materials and in most cases perform the repair too.

The same holds true with concrete: “During the fall months, it’s very important to get any concrete work you may need completed due to the inability to do concrete in the winter,” advises Jonathan Zuniga of Elite Concrete, LLC. “If you have any plans to get something done at your home or business before winter comes, let us know as soon as possible!”

When you’re doing all of your fall maintenance, it’s a great time to assess your entire property and take note of anything that’s damaged or deteriorated. Key areas you’ll want to focus on are structures, patios and decks, driveways, walkways, stairs, curbing/edging/bordering, and retaining walls. This will be helpful in planning for what will take priority next spring if it’s unable to be addressed yet this fall.

With the fall season approaching and the days becoming shorter, now is also definitely a good time to look at installing an outdoor lighting project.  When you spend time outdoors with family and friends, you’ll need adequate outdoor lighting to illuminate your landscape areas. Whether you’re sitting outside on a deck or patio or you wish to place a spotlight on a specific area of your yard, outdoor lighting can create a very pleasurable and inviting space.

There is a variety of lighting styles to choose from such as up lighting, path lighting, and down lighting. A professional can assist you in designing and selecting the perfect lighting effects for your outdoor lighting project. It’s important to consider what you need and how you will use the lighting to ensure that you choose lighting with the features you need. With many benefits of functional outdoor lighting, finding the lighting style and fixtures that will add beauty, function and safety to your outdoor areas is easy with the help of a professional.

Some of the benefits of outdoor lighting include:

Safety
Outdoor lighting can add safety in a variety of ways. Illuminate walkways to ensure that people navigate these areas safely. Use zone lighting to add light to areas of your yard and landscape for nighttime use. Zone lighting can be effective for lighting a patio, deck, garden, pool area or outdoor seating area. Illuminate sidewalks, driveways, garages and entryways to keep your landscape safe after dark. The more lights, the safer your outdoor areas will be.

Comfort
Extend your living areas by lighting your outdoor landscape. If you have a deck or patio with seating, add comfortable and attractive lighting to enable you to use these areas after dark. The ambiance of outdoor seating can be pleasant and inviting, especially when you feature attractive outdoor lighting that adds to your outdoor decor.

Décor
Showcase and highlight specific areas of your landscape with decorative lighting. By installing up lighting around your landscape in various spots, you pull the eye to these areas and display them attractively. Landscape lighting is also an effective way to display planting areas or flower gardens. Install mood lighting along outdoor buildings to add pleasant splashes of light in your landscape. You can even add low-voltage exterior lights to trees and shrubs outdoors to illuminate planting areas and add beautiful accents to your exterior areas.

Curb Appeal
A well-lit home gives a maintained impression to the entire neighborhood. Your house will appear warm and inviting as it sits quietly on your property. In contrast to a dark and drab home, your illuminated home will draw people in and offer a warm refuge for family and friends.

Cutting-Edge Technology
There have been some great advancements in outdoor lighting over the past few years.  LED technology allows for over 1/3 less power consumption and some lighting transformers now come with Bluetooth technology and apps for both Android and Apple IOS, putting the control of your new lighting system at your fingertips. Outdoor lighting really brings your landscape or backyard to life.

Regardless of the purpose of your outdoor lighting, the benefits are all positive. From increasing safety and security to creating a warm and inviting environment, adding outdoor lighting will enhance and beautify your home.

To recap, here are a few key guidelines for fall landscaping in general:

Turf Management

Fall is a great time to plant just about anything.  From a turf management perspective, fall is a great time for aeration and over seeding.  The best seed window lasts until October 15th.  If you do not intend to aerate your yard in the fall then consider slit seeding or drilling the seed. Either one of these methods implants the seed in the soil and protects it from neighborhood friends like birds, squirrels and rabbits.  Seeding in the fall usually requires less water to establish the newly planted seed.  Another advantage to fall over seeding is weed control.  Weeds are at the end of their growing cycle.

Plant Trees (Especially Fruit Trees)

Fruit trees should be planted in the fall or very early spring. Planting fruit trees for a fall landscaping project will be rewarding for years to come. Decide what type of tree you want to plant and make sure that it will survive in your zone and fit into your landscape once fully grown. Many fruit trees come in dwarf varieties and can be pruned to maintain a smaller size. Look for a young and healthy tree at a local nursery. Follow planting recommendations for your variety of tree.

Winterizing

One of the most important things to keep in mind in regards to your underground irrigation system as fall draws near is the winterization process.  Whether you choose to use the gravity drain method or blow the system out with pressurized air you want to make sure you or your irrigation professional winterizes the system correctly.  An improper winterization can lead to expensive repairs in the spring.  While it is not required on most residential systems, winterizing with pressurized air is the only way to ensure all the water has been evacuated from your system.  If you blow-out your own irrigation system make sure to never exceed 70 psi.

Outdoor Lighting

With the fall season approaching and the days becoming shorter now is a good time to look at installing an outdoor lighting project.  When you spend time outdoors with family and friends, you’ll need adequate outdoor lighting to illuminate your landscape areas. Whether you’re sitting outside on a deck or patio or you wish to place a spotlight on a specific area of your yard, outdoor lighting can create a very pleasurable and inviting space.

When light is brought to a dark backyard or front yard, it visually pushes the boundaries of a house. The more elements that are lit, the more people will push the edges of where a person will tend to gravitate to beyond the interior of a house. Pushing this boundary creates a visually striking look for the outside of the house.  A properly designed outdoor lighting project can add both beauty and security to any home.

As you can see, there’s much more to be done on a property during the fall than one might think. While there are some general rules of thumb to follow, every yard is different as are the possibilities to explore, so what’s on the to-do list will vary. Since we only have precious little time until winter weather is upon us, if there’s anything you have yet to tackle, now is the time!