Use these tips to make sure your yard is ready for winter.
As the vibrant colors of autumn paint the Twin Cities landscape, Minnesota homeowners face a critical window of opportunity. The fall season isn't just about enjoying the changing leaves—it's the most important time of year to prepare your property for the harsh winter ahead. At Minnesota Landscapes, our team has spent nearly three decades helping homeowners across White Bear Lake, Edina, Woodbury, and throughout the Twin Cities metro protect their landscapes from Minnesota's extreme winter conditions.
Minnesota's climate presents unique challenges that make fall landscape maintenance absolutely essential. With first frost dates occurring as early as mid-September in northern suburbs and mid-October in the metro area, homeowners have a narrow window to complete critical tasks. The consequences of neglecting fall preparation can be severe: dead shrubs, damaged trees, winterkill on perennials, and landscape infrastructure failures that cost thousands to repair come spring.
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, proper fall preparation can mean the difference between a landscape that emerges vibrant in spring and one that requires extensive renovation. The investment you make in fall care pays dividends in reduced spring maintenance costs, healthier plants, and increased property value.
September represents the optimal period for lawn renovations in the Twin Cities. The combination of warm soil temperatures and cooler air creates ideal conditions for grass seed germination and root establishment. If your lawn has suffered through summer stress with thin patches, bare spots, or weed infiltration, early fall is your opportunity to address these issues before winter.
Our landscape design team recommends core aeration followed by overseeding for lawns showing signs of compaction or thinning. This process allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil while introducing new grass varieties that may be more drought-tolerant or disease-resistant than your existing turf.
Contrary to popular belief, fall—not spring—is actually the best time to plant trees and shrubs in Minnesota. Why? The cooler temperatures reduce stress on newly planted specimens while the soil retains warmth from summer, encouraging robust root development. Plants installed in fall can establish extensive root systems before winter dormancy, giving them a significant advantage when spring growth begins.
The soil conditions in September and early October provide the perfect environment for root establishment. As the tree or shrub focuses energy on root development rather than top growth, it builds the foundation for long-term health and vigor. Our tree care specialists have found that fall-planted specimens consistently outperform those planted in spring, showing better drought tolerance and faster establishment.
For homeowners in Mendota Heights, Cottage Grove, or Shoreview, September is the ideal month to add that shade tree you've been contemplating or install privacy shrubs along your property line.
Spring-blooming perennials benefit tremendously from fall division. Peonies, daylilies, hostas, and iris can be divided in early fall, allowing them time to establish before winter while avoiding the stress of spring's rapid growth period. This task not only revitalizes overgrown plantings but also provides additional plants to expand your garden or share with neighbors.
As deciduous trees and shrubs begin dropping leaves, implement a strategic cleanup schedule. Rather than waiting until all leaves have fallen, remove accumulations regularly to prevent smothering your lawn and planting beds. Thick layers of leaves can create perfect conditions for snow mold and other fungal diseases that damage turf over winter.
September fertilization of lawns and woody plants provides critical nutrients that strengthen root systems and build winter hardiness. A properly formulated fall fertilizer emphasizes potassium and phosphorus over nitrogen, promoting root development and cold tolerance rather than tender new growth that would be damaged by frost.
As we move into October, the window for major landscape projects begins to close. Any significant installations—whether patio and paver projects, retaining walls, or large-scale plantings—should be completed before the ground freezes. Frost penetration in Minnesota typically reaches 3-6 feet, making any ground work impossible once winter sets in fully.
Our design-build team at Minnesota Landscapes recommends scheduling fall projects well in advance, as our calendar fills quickly with homeowners who understand the advantages of completing hardscape work when conditions are optimal.
Late October to early November, after the ground begins to freeze but before heavy snow arrives, is the critical time to install winter protection. This includes:
Evergreen Protection: Apply anti-desiccant sprays to broadleaf evergreens and sensitive conifers. These products create a protective coating that reduces moisture loss from winter sun and wind—a primary cause of winter burn on rhododendrons, boxwoods, and arborvitae.
Physical Barriers: Erect burlap screens for evergreens exposed to road salt, prevailing winds, or harsh western sun. Young trees benefit from trunk wraps that prevent frost cracks and protect bark from rodent damage.
Mulch Application: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of winter mulch to sensitive perennials, roses, and newly planted trees and shrubs. Wait until the ground has frozen to prevent rodents from nesting in the mulch. This insulation moderates soil temperature fluctuations and reduces frost heaving.
Not all perennials should be cut back in fall. Plants with persistent seed heads or structural interest—ornamental grasses, coneflowers, sedums, and black-eyed Susans—provide winter visual interest and food for birds. However, perennials prone to foliar diseases or those that collapse into mushy messes should be cut back and removed to prevent disease overwintering.
Conduct a thorough final cleanup before snow arrives. Remove all diseased plant material, fallen fruit that might attract pests, and any debris that could harbor problems over winter. Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage away from your home's foundation and landscape plantings.
This final cleanup serves multiple purposes: it reduces disease and pest pressure for the following year, eliminates hiding places for rodents that might damage plants over winter, and ensures that spring cleanup will be manageable rather than overwhelming.
Gradually lower your mowing height through October as grass growth slows, making the final cut of the season at about 2-2.5 inches. This height prevents snow mold while maintaining sufficient blade length to continue photosynthesis during warm late-fall days.
Minnesota winters bring heavy snow accumulations and ice storms that can cause devastating damage to trees and shrubs. Proper fall pruning removes weak, damaged, or poorly attached branches before winter storms can cause them to fail. Our certified arborists identify and address structural weaknesses that might lead to storm damage.
Certain species—particularly multi-stemmed evergreens like arborvitae and upright junipers—are especially vulnerable to snow and ice damage. These plants benefit from protective measures such as loosely wrapping with twine to prevent branches from splaying under snow load.
Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles can literally push plants out of the ground, a phenomenon called frost heaving that's particularly damaging to perennials and newly planted specimens. Proper mulching after the ground freezes provides insulation that moderates temperature fluctuations, significantly reducing frost heaving.
Winter brings hungry deer, rabbits, and voles that can devastate landscape plantings. Young trees, shrubs, and certain perennials require protection through physical barriers, repellents, or strategic planting of less palatable alternatives. Our team can help identify vulnerable plants and implement protection strategies during fall installation.
Many homeowners view fall landscape maintenance as an optional expense, but the mathematics tell a different story. Consider these factors:
Prevention vs. Replacement: Protecting a $500 shrub with $50 in winter protection materials makes obvious financial sense. Yet every spring, we encounter homeowners who lost valuable plantings to preventable winter damage.
Spring Renovation Costs: Landscapes that receive proper fall care require minimal spring renovation. Those neglected in fall often need extensive repair, replacement, and remediation—costs that typically exceed fall maintenance investments by 3-5 times.
Property Value Protection: A well-maintained landscape contributes 15-20% to property value according to real estate studies. Winter damage that goes unaddressed can significantly diminish this value.
Energy Savings: Properly maintained evergreen windbreaks and strategically placed plantings can reduce winter heating costs by 10-25% according to the University of Minnesota Extension.
While many fall tasks can be tackled by dedicated homeowners, the complexity and timing-critical nature of fall landscape preparation often makes professional services a wise investment. Here's why Twin Cities homeowners consistently choose Minnesota Landscapes for fall care:
Timing Expertise: Our team understands the nuanced timing requirements of Minnesota's climate. We know when to apply anti-desiccants for maximum effectiveness, when soil conditions are optimal for planting, and how to schedule tasks around weather patterns.
Comprehensive Knowledge: Fall preparation requires understanding plant physiology, soil science, pest management, and weather patterns. Our team brings decades of accumulated knowledge to every property.
Equipment and Materials: Professional-grade equipment and commercial-quality materials often perform significantly better than consumer products. Our relationships with suppliers ensure we have access to the best products at competitive prices.
Efficiency: What might take a homeowner several weekends of work, our experienced crews can complete in a single day, allowing you to focus on enjoying fall rather than working through it.
Guaranteed Results: Our work comes with the confidence of professional execution. We stand behind our services and address any issues that arise.
The Twin Cities metro area encompasses surprising climatic diversity. Properties in White Bear Lake or Dellwood near bodies of water experience moderated temperatures and extended growing seasons compared to inland locations. South-facing slopes in Apple Valley or Rosemount warm earlier in spring but may experience more freeze-thaw stress.
Understanding your property's specific microclimate allows for tailored fall preparation. Our design team assesses these factors during consultations, developing customized maintenance plans that address your property's unique characteristics.
Every property has different needs based on size, plant composition, existing conditions, and homeowner goals. While this comprehensive checklist provides a framework, the most effective fall maintenance programs are customized to specific properties.
Contact Minnesota Landscapes for a fall landscape assessment. Our team will evaluate your property, identify priority tasks, and develop a maintenance plan that fits your budget and goals. Whether you need comprehensive fall services or prefer to handle some tasks yourself while outsourcing specialized work like tree care or hardscape winterization, we create programs that make sense for your situation.
Properties that receive thorough fall preparation emerge from winter in dramatically better condition. Rather than spending April and May addressing winter damage, repairing failed systems, and replacing dead plantings, you'll enjoy:
At Minnesota Landscapes, we're committed to sustainable practices that protect both your property and the broader environment:
Organic Mulch Recycling: We encourage composting leaves and using them as mulch or soil amendments rather than disposing of this valuable organic matter.
Reduced Chemical Inputs: Proper fall preparation—especially building soil health and planting vigor—reduces the need for chemical interventions in spring and summer.
Native Plant Emphasis: Our fall planting recommendations prioritize native species adapted to Minnesota conditions, reducing maintenance requirements and supporting local ecosystems.
Water Conservation: Fall-established plantings develop deeper, more extensive root systems that require less supplemental irrigation during summer stress periods.
The window for optimal fall landscape preparation is limited. As we move through September and October, scheduling becomes increasingly challenging. Many of our clients establish standing annual fall maintenance programs, ensuring their properties receive timely care without the stress of last-minute scheduling.
Our comprehensive fall services include:
Whether your property is in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Afton, or anywhere in the Twin Cities metro, Minnesota Landscapes brings the expertise, experience, and dedication to help your landscape thrive through winter and emerge vibrant in spring.
Ready to protect your landscape investment? Contact us today at 651-457-0000 or info@minnesotalandscapes.com to schedule your fall landscape assessment. Our team is ready to develop a customized fall maintenance program that ensures your property not only survives Minnesota's winter but thrives when spring returns.
Don't let another fall pass without proper preparation. Your landscape—and your spring schedule—will thank you.
Minnesota Landscapes has been the Twin Cities' trusted partner for comprehensive landscape design, installation, and maintenance since 1996. Our team of certified professionals brings decades of combined experience to every property we serve. Learn more about our complete range of services at www.minnesotalandscapes.com.
