Fall is one of the best times to watch nature showcase its magic right in your outdoor area. The leaves start to change into beautiful colours and the temperature becomes cooler. This season is also the perfect time to do some maintenance that your home needs because we all know that winter is coming.

From lawn care to taking care of your hardscaping, here are 9 of the top fall maintenance landscaping tips that will ensure your home looks great during winter and into the following spring.

1. Install a stone patio

Fall is the perfect time to install the patio of your dreams. It is not inconvenient in comparison to installing it during spring. Also, the entire family is less likely to use the outdoor area, so you don’t have to worry about any mess the installation will create. On top of that, fall and winter construction means fewer chances of your landscaping getting damaged since most of your plants will be dormant already.

Besides that, it will be easier for you to find an excellent (and available) landscape contractor for your project as the season begins to wind down and they have more time on their hands. Ask us for a recommendation of an Authorized STONEarch Landscape Contractor.

If you’re looking to create a stunning patio that can withstand the harsh Canadian winter, STONEarch natural stones are the perfect material for it. Our landscaping stone products are high-quality, extremely durable, and available in a wide variety of colours. For more information, feel free to contact our team, who is more than happy to answer any questions and inquiries you have in mind.

2. Power wash your hardscape areas

Hardscape includes areas around your home, including driveway, sidewalk, pavers, fountains, rock formations, and retaining walls. Aside from function and safety, these add to the beauty of your humble abode. Power washing your natural stone driveway and other hardscape areas around your home will ensure that they are clean from fall to winter.

It’s also important to blow or wash away fall leaves and prevent them from remaining on the surface over the course of the winter. Some lighter coloured natural stones may experience mild staining from fall leaves if they are not removed before the winter sets in.

3. Get a new paint job

The exterior paint of your house plays a major role in the overall look of your home. And there’s no better time of the year than autumn to retouch it or give the exterior of your house a new look with a new paint job. Additionally, you can show the beauty of your landscaping further by fixing the sidings before painting.

You can also consider adding some natural stone veneers as accent walls to your home. Our STONEarch Midnight Veneer is a particularly popular stone veneer for modern homes and landscapes.

4. Joint material maintenance

Joint materials make sure that your pavers are in good health. It can also help reduce weed growth and get rid of insects on paver surfaces. It also offers proper drainage since it can channel runoff. Polymeric sand is the most recommended joint material for pavers.

If your pavers do not have joint materials, they will be prone to movement, shifting, and wear and tear. Additionally, pavers tend to become more receptive to movement after repeated freeze and thaw cycles that Canadian winters bring. We always recommend refilling any gaps or joints to reduce movement in your stone or concrete pavers over the winter.

5. Maintain your pool and prepare it for the winter ahead

Winter in Canada can surprise you as it can come earlier than expected. Depending on your location, you may winterize your pool either fully or partially.

Furthermore, the end of the summer months does not mean that you should stop with your pool maintenance and simply wait for the next spring to come. Your pool will require you to ensure that its chemical levels are balanced even during the fall season. On top of that, you also need to keep it free of bugs, debris, and leaves. That means cleaning it every week, until it is ready to be closed for the season by your pool maintenance company.

6. Rake those fallen leaves

There is no doubt that falling autumn leaves are beautiful. But don’t let that fool you since they can also be hazardous if you don’t rake them regularly. Those fallen leaves can easily hide a dilapidated walkway or sidewalk. Likewise, wet leaves are slippery for pedestrians. So to avoid any unnecessary accidents, make sure to rake leaves once a week throughout the fall months, especially prior to the first snowfall.

7. Apply fertilizer

Autumn is also the perfect season to give your lawn some nutrients by applying fertilizer. Ryegrass, fescue, bluegrass, and other types of cool-season grass react well favourably when you feed them at the beginning of September and then again later in fall. Doing so can help your grass green-up ahead of time and look much better once springtime comes in.

8. Mulch time

Mulching during fall will do your plants good since it can help protect their roots from frost. What’s more, it can help retain their moisture throughout the dry and cold winter months. Spreading at least 2 to 3 inches of fresh mulch in your garden and around shrubs and trees will ensure your plants are healthy and ready for spring.

9. Do not forget your wooden deck

Winter is quite harsh on wooden decks, and autumn is an excellent time to prep it. The first thing you need to do is to power wash it to remove any dirt buildup. Then, seal your deck to provide it with a protective layer against unforgiving elements. Additionally, you may want to trim the bushes, trees, or plants nearby. The moss and mold from these can make its way into your wood deck easily.

The ongoing maintenance required for wooden decks is also one of the reasons why some clients have decided to replace their wooden deck with a stone patio. Our travertine products such as STONEarch Ivory Mix and STONEarch Gray Mix, are both very gentle on bare feet and are the most perfect natural stone substitutes for wooden decks due to their warm and rustic surfaces.

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