Seasonal Yard Cleanup: What Homeowners Need to Know

Rochester's climate means dealing with everything from freezing winters to humid summers. Keeping your yard in top shape requires different tasks throughout the year. Here's your seasonal guide to yard maintenance in Monroe County

Spring (March-May)

Spring is the busiest time of year for yard work. As soon as the snow melts and the ground thaws, start with a thorough cleanup. Remove any debris that accumulated over winter broken branches, dead leaves, and anything the wind blew in

Once the soil is workable, apply fresh mulch to your planting beds. Two to three inches of mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and gives your beds a clean, finished look. Pull back old mulch before adding new, and don't pile it against tree trunks or plant stems

Early spring is also the time for pruning many trees and shrubs before they leaf out. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Wait until after flowering to prune spring-blooming shrubs like forsythia and lilacs

This is a good time to have your trees inspected. A professional can identify any storm damage or structural issues that need attention before the growing season gets underway

Summer (June-August)

Summer is about maintenance and keeping everything growing well. Regular watering is essential, especially for new plantings. Most established lawns and trees need about an inch of water per week from rain or irrigation

Stay on top of weeds they'll overtake your beds quickly if you let them. Pull them when they're small, or use mulch to suppress them. Don't let weeds go to seed, or you'll be dealing with even more next year

Light pruning in summer is fine for removing dead branches or controlling excessive growth. Avoid heavy pruning during hot weather, as it can stress plants

Keep your lawn mower blade sharp and set at the right height cutting grass too short stresses it and encourages weeds. For most Rochester lawns, three to four inches is ideal

Fall (September-November)

Fall is when you prepare your yard for winter. This is the most important season for long-term yard health

Continue regular watering until the ground freezes. Trees and shrubs need moisture going into winter to prevent desiccation

Clean up fallen leaves regularly. A thick layer of leaves on your lawn can smother the grass and promote disease. You can mulch leaves with your mower to feed the lawn, or rake and compost them

This is the time for fall pruning of many trees, once they've gone dormant. Remove dead or hazardous branches before winter storms arrive

Apply winter mulch after the ground freezes to protect perennials and newly planted trees and shrubs from frost heaving

Winter (December-February)

Winter is a quiet time for yard work, but there are still things to do. After heavy snowstorms, gently brush snow off shrubs to prevent branches from breaking under the weight

Avoid piling snow from driveways and walks onto sensitive plants or tree roots. The salt used on walkways can also damage plants use caution where you pile snow

Use winter months to plan for the coming year. Think about what worked and what didn't, any trees that need attention, and projects you want to tackle in spring

It's a good time to schedule spring tree work. Professional arborists book up quickly in spring, so getting on the calendar now can ensure you get the time you need