Fall Yard Cleanup Checklist
Ten jobs, a couple of weekends, and your yard goes into winter ready for spring. Work from the top down: gutters and trees first, then the lawn, then water and gear.
The 10-Job Checklist
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1
Clean the guttersClogged gutters overflow and can cause ice dams. Clear them after most leaves have dropped.
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2
Deal with the leavesA thick mat of leaves smothers grass. Rake, blow, or mulch them with the mower.
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3
Give the lawn a last mowKeep mowing until the grass stops growing. Many lawns do well going into winter a little shorter than summer height.
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4
Cut back spent perennialsClear out diseased foliage. Leave some seed heads and stems if you want winter interest or habitat.
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5
Water new plantingsKeep watering new trees and shrubs through dry spells until the ground freezes.
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6
Store patio furniture and cushionsClean and dry them first so they don't mildew in storage.
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7
Shut off outdoor waterClose interior shut-off valves to outdoor spigots if you have them, and open the spigot to let it drain.
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8
Drain and store hosesDisconnect, drain, and wind them onto a reel. Store the reel in a garage or shed.
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9
Clean and store toolsScrub off dirt, dry them, and oil metal parts so they don't rust over winter.
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10
Service small enginesFollow the manufacturer's instructions — usually stabilizing or draining fuel before storage.
Don't Skip the Hose
Water left inside a hose freezes, expands, and splits it. It can also crack couplings and the swivel on your reel.
Disconnect, drain, and wind it. Then roll the cart into the garage or shed. Our winter hose guide has the details.
Caption: the end of the checklist — hose drained, wound, and parked inside.
4-Wheel Heavy Duty Cart
Holds 250 feet of 5/8-inch hose on four no-flat tires — easy to roll into the garage for winter.
Shop the 250 ft CartFAQ: Fall Yard Cleanup
When should I do fall yard cleanup?
After most leaves have dropped and before the first hard freeze. Many people split it across two weekends.
Should I leave leaves on the lawn over winter?
Not a thick layer — it can smother grass. A light layer mulched into the lawn with a mower is fine.
Do I need to drain my garden hose for winter?
Yes. Water left inside can freeze, expand, and split the hose and crack fittings.
Should I shut off outdoor spigots in winter?
If your home has interior shut-off valves for outdoor spigots, close them and open the spigot outside to drain.
The Bottom Line
Work top-down: gutters, leaves, lawn, beds, then water and gear. Finish with the hose drained and on a reel, and spring starts a lot easier.
Questions? Call us at (888) 607-4417 or browse our steel hose storage.
Sources
We build hose storage that outlives the hose. All steel, no plastic, made for people tired of replacing things.
