Autumn Grounds Transition Plan
Complete Guide for Winter Preparation
Autumn marks a critical period for grounds maintenance. The decisions you make now determine how well your outdoor spaces survive winter.
At 4 Seasons Grounds & Landscaping Solutions, we’ve developed proven methods that protect your investment year after year.
Good autumn preparation saves money. It prevents plant loss, reduces spring repair costs, and extends the life of equipment. Most importantly, it ensures your grounds emerge healthy and ready for the next growing season.
Leaf Management Best Practices
Fallen leaves create both opportunities and challenges. Left unmanaged, they block sunlight and trap moisture against the grass, which can lead to fungal diseases and dead patches. However, leaves also provide valuable organic matter when handled correctly.
Collection Timing
Start leaf collection when trees reach 25% leaf drop. Don’t wait until all leaves fall. Early collection prevents matting and reduces disease pressure on lawns. Monitor weather forecasts and collect before heavy rains whenever possible.
Removal Methods
Raking works best for small areas and delicate plantings. Use lightweight rakes to avoid damaging grass crowns. Rake in different directions to lift leaves completely.
Blowing handles large areas efficiently. Choose calm days to minimise leaf redistribution. Blow leaves onto tarps for easy collection.
Mulching transforms leaves into lawn nutrition. Use mulching mowers when leaf coverage is light. Ensure that chopped pieces are smaller than 2 cm. Heavy leaf layers require collection before mulching.
Disposal and Recycling
Create compost piles with collected leaves. Mix with green materials like grass clippings. Turn piles monthly to speed decomposition. Finished compost improves soil in 6-12 months.
Shred leaves before adding to garden beds. Use as mulch around trees and shrubs. Apply 5-8 cm of mulch, keeping it at least 5 cm away from plant stems. Mulching like this suppresses weeds and moderates soil temperature.
Municipal collection often accepts bagged leaves. Check local guidelines for the types of bags that are acceptable. Some councils require paper bags or loose collection.
Winter Preparation Techniques
Winter preparation protects plants from freeze damage, desiccation, and mechanical injury. Start preparations 4-6 weeks before your area’s average first frost date.
Lawn Winter Care
Final mowing: Cut the grass to a height of 5cm for the last mow. Shorter grass reduces disease risk. Longer grass provides better insulation. Remove clippings to prevent matting.
Aeration: Core aerate compacted areas before the ground freezes to improve drainage and reduce ice damage. Focus on high-traffic zones and clay soils.
Overseeding: Apply winter-hardy grass varieties to thin areas to improve turf quality. Select seed varieties that are suited to your specific climate zone. Water lightly if rainfall is insufficient.
Tree and Shrub Protection
Wrapping: Protect thin-barked trees from sun scald and frost cracks. Use tree wrap or white paint on south-facing trunks. Remove wrapping in early spring to prevent pest harbourage.
Anti-desiccant Sprays: Apply to broadleaf evergreens before temperatures drop below 40°F (4 °C). These waxy coatings reduce water loss through leaves. Reapply mid-winter if temperatures rise above 10°C.
Root Protection: Apply 10-15cm of mulch around tree bases. Extend mulch to the drip line. Use organic materials, such as wood chips or shredded bark. Keep mulch 15cm away from tree trunks.
Irrigation System Winterisation
Drain Systems: Remove water from pipes and sprinkler heads. Use compressed air for complete drainage. Trapped water expands when frozen, cracking pipes and fittings.
Shut-off Valves: Close main water supply valves. Drain supply lines completely. Mark valve locations for spring reactivation.
Controller Programming: Switch controllers to “rain” or “off” mode. Remove backup batteries to prevent power drain. Store removable components indoors.
End-of-Season Equipment Care
Good equipment storage prevents costly spring repairs. Clean maintenance extends tool life and ensures reliable performance next season.
Mower Maintenance
Engine Care: Change oil while the engine is warm. Old oil contains contaminants that cause corrosion. Use manufacturer-recommended oil grades for your climate.
Fuel Management: Either drain fuel completely or add stabiliser. Untreated fuel degrades and clogs carburettors. Run engines with stabilised fuel for 10 minutes to circulate treatment.
Blade Service: Remove and sharpen blades. Dull blades tear grass, creating entry points for disease. Store sharp blades in dry locations to prevent rust from forming.
Cleaning: Remove all grass clippings and debris. Pressure wash if necessary. Apply a light oil coating to prevent rust on exposed metal surfaces.
Hand Tool Preparation
Cleaning: Remove soil and plant debris from all tools. Use wire brushes for stubborn residue. Clean tools cut cleaner and reduce disease transmission.
Sharpening: Sharpen cutting tools, such as secateurs and shears. Sharp tools make cleaner cuts that heal faster. File or grind damaged edges smooth.
Handle Care: Sand rough wooden handles to smooth them. Apply linseed oil to prevent cracking. Replace damaged handles before spring use.
Storage: Hang tools to prevent them from coming into contact with the ground. Apply thin oil coating to metal parts. Store in dry, well-ventilated locations.
Power Equipment Storage
Seasonal Service: Service equipment according to manufacturer schedules. Replace worn parts before spring demand increases. Keep service records for warranty purposes.
Battery Care: Remove batteries from cordless equipment. Store in cool, dry locations. Charge monthly to maintain capacity.
Cleaning and Lubrication: Clean equipment thoroughly before storage. Lubricate moving parts as specified. Cover equipment to prevent dust accumulation.
Soil Amendments Before Dormancy
Autumn soil amendments improve growing conditions for the following season. Cool weather allows amendments to integrate naturally without plant stress.
Soil Testing
pH Assessment: Test soil pH using reliable meters or laboratory analysis. Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Autumn allows time for pH adjustments to take effect.
Nutrient Analysis: Professional soil tests reveal nutrient deficiencies. Address phosphorus and potassium needs in autumn. Nitrogen applications should be minimal before the onset of dormancy.
Organic Matter Addition
Compost Application: Apply 2-5 cm of finished compost to the planting beds. Work into the top 15cm of soil. Compost improves drainage in clay soils and water retention in sandy soils.
Aged Manure: Use well-aged manure as an alternative to compost. Fresh manure burns plants and may contain weed seeds. Age manure for at least 12 months.
pH Adjustment
Lime Application: Apply agricultural lime to raise the pH in acidic soils. Limestone works slowly, requiring 3-6 months for full effect. Apply in autumn for spring benefits.
Sulphur Addition: Lower pH in alkaline soils with elemental sulphur. Work sulphur into the soil before applying mulch. Monitor pH changes over 6-month periods.
Fertiliser Considerations
Phosphorus and Potassium: Apply these nutrients in autumn when soil tests indicate deficiency. They move slowly through the soil and benefit from extended contact time.
Nitrogen Limitation: Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers before dormancy. Nitrogen encourages soft growth that’s vulnerable to frost damage. Use slow-release formulations if nitrogen is needed.
Plant Protection Methods
Winter protection varies by plant type and local climate conditions. Focus efforts on valuable or borderline-hardy plants.
Tender Plant Protection
Container Plants: Move containers to protected locations. Insulate pots with bubble wrap or hessian. Group containers together for mutual protection.
In-Ground Protection: Build windbreaks around sensitive plants to protect them from wind damage. Use hessian screens or commercial plant protectors. Remove protection gradually in spring.
Mulching Strategies
Insulation Mulch: Apply 15-20cm of loose mulch around tender plants. Use materials like straw, leaves, or wood chips. Remove gradually as temperatures warm.
Living Mulch: Plant winter cover crops in vegetable gardens. Crimson clover and winter rye help protect the soil and add essential nutrients.
Structural Protection
Tree Staking: Stake newly planted trees for their first winter. Use flexible ties that allow some movement. Remove stakes after one growing season.
Deer Protection: Install fencing or netting around susceptible plants. Use 2-metre-high barriers for effective deer exclusion. Check and repair barriers monthly.
Pruning Considerations
Dormant Season Pruning: Prune most deciduous trees and shrubs after the leaves have dropped. Avoid pruning in freezing weather when wood is brittle. Make clean cuts just above outward-facing buds.
Spring Bloomers: Postpone pruning spring-flowering shrubs until after bloom. Autumn pruning removes next year’s flower buds. Focus on dead and damaged wood removal only.
Evergreen Pruning: Minimal pruning for evergreens in autumn. Remove dead or damaged branches only. Major shaping should wait until late spring.