You know fall is creeping in when the air turns crisp, the neighborhood trees start glowing gold, and the lawn suddenly stops needing that twice-a-week mow. In Denver, that seasonal shift doesn’t just mean football Sundays and pumpkin spice everything—it’s a signal that your yard needs a little TLC before winter rolls in. Prepping your landscaping now means fewer headaches later and a much healthier yard come spring.
Let me tell you how I learned this the hard way.
That One Year I Skipped Fall Yard Work
It was the first fall after we moved into our house in Lakewood. I figured, “Hey, the grass isn’t growing much anymore, and the garden looks okay—why bother?” Fast forward to April, and we had dead patches in the lawn, perennials that never came back, and a weed infestation that took all of May to tame. Never again.
That’s when I realized that fall landscaping isn’t just maintenance—it’s an investment in next season’s success. Here’s what we do now, and what we recommend to every Denver homeowner who wants their yard to wake up in spring looking better than ever.
Start with a Clean Slate
Begin by clearing out the stuff that’s past its prime. That means pulling spent annuals, cutting back overgrown perennials, trimming shrubs, and raking out leaves and debris. Think of it as giving your yard a reset before it hibernates. And it’s not just about looks—leaving dead plant matter behind can create a breeding ground for pests and diseases that survive the winter.
If you’ve got vegetable beds or raised planters, now’s also a good time to pull out any leftover summer crops and mix in compost. That soil will thank you next season.
Show Your Lawn Some Love
Denver lawns take a beating during the hot, dry summers. Fall is the perfect time to help them bounce back. Aeration should be at the top of your list—this breaks up compacted soil and allows air, water, and nutrients to get down to the roots. After aerating, overseed bare patches to help fill in your turf and create a thick, healthy lawn.
Top things off with a fall-specific fertilizer that’s high in phosphorus to support strong root growth. Your lawn might not look dramatically different now, but come spring, you’ll be glad you did it.
Don’t Forget the Mulch
Mulch might seem like a purely aesthetic choice, but it’s actually one of your best fall landscaping tools. Adding a fresh layer (2–3 inches) around your garden beds, shrubs, and trees helps regulate soil temperature and retains moisture—two key factors during Colorado’s unpredictable fall weather.
It also acts as a weed barrier and keeps your yard looking clean and cared for well into winter.
Planting Isn’t Just for Spring
This surprises a lot of people, but fall is actually a fantastic time to plant in Denver. The soil is still warm, even if the air is cooling down, which gives new roots time to get established before things freeze up. Trees, shrubs, and certain perennials do really well when planted in the fall.
And don’t forget about spring-blooming bulbs. If you want tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths in your yard come April, you’ve got to get them in the ground now. Every year we do this, and every year our neighbors ask, “How did you get those to come up so early?” The secret’s just good timing.
Little Extras That Make a Big Difference
- Wrap young trees to protect them from sunscald and deer.
- Clean and store garden tools so they’re ready to go in spring.
- Drain irrigation systems to avoid cracked pipes during freeze-thaw cycles.
It’s the kind of prep work that feels small in the moment but adds up in a big way.
Final Thoughts
I used to dread fall yard work. Now it’s become a bit of a ritual—kind of like setting the stage for next year’s performance. You do the prep now so you can sit back and enjoy the show later.
If you’re not sure where to start, or if you just want a hand getting it done right, our team at BNB has your back. We offer fall landscaping services tailored to Denver’s climate and your property’s needs.
Get in touch and we’ll help make sure your yard wakes up in spring looking better than ever.
