Louisville’s Most Helpful “How-To Guide” for Pools and Landscaping
Fall Cleanup is One of the Most Important Routines of the Year. Don’t Skip It!
Fall cleanup is essential in Louisville’s humid climate to prevent disease and pest problems. Kentucky’s variable weather patterns require strategic timing for optimal results.
The “How To” guide below is our attempt to give you some helpful tips if you’re tackling this challenge on your own. And if you decide you’d like some help, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Louisville Fall Cleanup Timeline
Early Fall Tasks (Late September – Early October)
- Start leaf management: Begin removing leaves as they fall heavily
- Deadhead flowers: Remove spent blooms on perennials and annuals
- Harvest and clean vegetable gardens: Remove diseased plants immediately
- Overseed thin lawn areas: Take advantage of cooler temperatures
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide: Prevent winter weeds in warm areas
Peak Cleanup Period (Mid to Late October)
- Major leaf removal: Rake or blow leaves from lawn and beds
- Gutter cleaning: Remove leaves and debris from roof gutters
- Perennial cutback: Cut back most perennials to 2-3 inches
- Annual removal: Pull spent annual flowers and vegetables
- Mulch refresh: Add fresh mulch after cleanup is complete
Final Fall Tasks (November – Early December)
- Last leaf collection: Final removal of remaining leaves
- Tree and shrub pruning: Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches
- Tool cleaning and storage: Clean and oil tools before winter storage
- Final watering: Deep water if fall has been dry
Leaf Management Strategies
Beneficial Leaf Uses
- Compost material: Mix with green materials for balanced compost
- Natural mulch: Shred leaves for use around trees and shrubs
- Lawn amendment: Mow over thin leaf layers to add organic matter
- Vegetable garden prep: Till leaves into next year’s garden beds
Disease Prevention
- Remove diseased leaves: Don’t compost leaves with black spot, anthracnose, or other diseases
- Clean pruning tools: Disinfect between plants to prevent disease spread
- Destroy infected material: Bag and dispose of diseased plant material
- Air circulation: Ensure good airflow around plants after cleanup
Louisville-Specific Fall Considerations
Weather Timing
- Watch forecasts: Complete major cleanup before first hard frost
- Dry day scheduling: Choose dry days for leaf collection and disposal
- Wind considerations: Work with prevailing wind patterns
- Temperature awareness: Some cleanup tasks work better in cooler weather
Municipal Services
- Leaf collection schedule: Check Louisville Metro’s collection calendar
- Proper bagging: Follow city guidelines for yard waste disposal
- Composting programs: Take advantage of local composting facilities
- Bulk item pickup: Schedule pickup for large cleanup items
A thorough fall cleanup protects your Louisville landscape through winter and sets the stage for a healthy, beautiful spring garden. If you don’t have the tools or the time to handle this yourself, don’t hesitate to contact us for all your seasonal clean ups.