12 Garden Tasks to Do Before the Holiday Rush

1. Deal With Fallen Leaves

Rake leaves off of pathways, ground cover plants and lawns (or you can mow them into the grass). Instead of adding them to the green bin, put the leaves to work in your garden. Try spreading leaves under trees and shrubs, keeping away from trunks, where they can decompose slowly over the winter, adding nutrients and organic matter back into the soil.

5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden

2. Mulch Beds

Spreading a layer of bark mulch is one of the easiest ways to make a garden look well-kept, and it’s great for the garden any time of year. Mulching in fall and winter helps prevent stormwater runoff and protects tender perennials, bulbs and shallow-growing roots from cold damage as temperatures drop. Spread a layer of mulch 2 to 4 inches deep (the deeper the better for cold protection) on top of any areas of bare soil in planting beds, making sure to keep the mulch 2 to 4 inches away from the trunks of trees or shrubs.

3. Spread Fresh Gravel

Give gravel pathways, patios and driveways an instant pick-me-up with a fresh layer of gravel. Topping up gravel on pathways by 1 to 2 inches can help keep boots drier and cleaner, reducing mud tracking into the house.

If you’re ordering for delivery from a local building-materials store, do so well in advance of the holidays and arrange for any assistance with spreading the gravel, if needed.

Find a landscape contractor in your area

For gravel driveways, aim to keep the depth of gravel between 6 to 8 inches total and top up with as much as you need to replace, factoring in a bit extra if you live in a snowy area where gravel may be removed by frequent shoveling or a plow.

4. Clean Gutters

Clear leaves and debris from gutters, making note of any areas that need patching or repairing. Run a hose down your downspouts to loosen and free stuck leaves. Check that runoff from downspouts directs into garden beds, rather than onto walkways, and make any adjustments needed.

6. Empty and Store Containers

Clear out seasonal container arrangements, tossing annuals into the compost bin and planting perennials into gardens beds if you’d like to save them. Potting soil cleared of root balls can be emptied and raked onto beds as a mulch or dug into garden soil as an amendment.

In cold areas, move ceramic and terra-cotta containers into a garage or shed, or place them against the house and cover them with a tarp to prevent them from cracking during the freeze-thaw cycle. The less exposure to moisture they receive, the better.

7. Address Outdoor Safety Issues

Take a look around your yard, particularly in high-use areas like the pathway to the front door. Are there any spots that could pose a hazard, like a crack in a deck step, a wobbly railing or slick flagstones? What about any tree branches that may have died and are at risk of falling? Make repairs, clean walkway surfaces and cut back branches as needed.

8. Winterize Outdoor Kitchens

In cold-winter regions, outdoor kitchens need to be winterized to prevent any damage from occurring between now and when you’ll be using them again next spring. Start by shutting off any water lines running to the outdoor kitchen and emptying the lines (including the small ones running to the outdoor fridge, sink and ice maker) of any remaining water. Open the tap and drain valves to prevent any residual water left in the lines from freezing and causing damage. Clean the grill, fridge and sink and then cover them to prevent damage from snow and ice.

9. Shut Off or Dial Back Irrigation Systems

Shut off exterior water in cold-winter regions, then open the tap and drain irrigation lines to prevent damage, just as you would for an outdoor kitchen.

In mild-winter areas, where irrigation runs all year, use this as a time to check the system. Run the system during the daytime and observe if there are any sprinklers that need re-aiming over beds or if any areas of drip are damaged or in need of replacement. Make any necessary changes and then dial back frequency rates to factor in cooler temperatures and more rainfall.

11. Sanitize Garden Tools

You can wait to prune fruit trees until after the holidays, but get the tools properly cleaned now so you’re ready to go later. To sanitize clippers and loppers, dip the cutters in a solution of rubbing alcohol and water or bleach and water, remove them and allow them to fully dry. This step helps prevent the spread of disease from plant to plant. Use the same method for trowels and shovels, scrubbing them clean of dirt first, and rub wooden handles with furniture oil before putting them away.