Fall in Louisiana might not bring the dramatic color changes you see up North, but it still brings plenty of leaves, pine needles, and yard work. Skipping fall cleanup can lead to fungal diseases, bare spots, and a rough start to spring. Here's your complete fall yard checklist.
Remove Fallen Leaves
Thick layers of leaves smother your grass, blocking sunlight and trapping moisture. This creates perfect conditions for fungal diseases like brown patch, which is common in North Louisiana. Rake, blow, or mulch-mow leaves regularly from November through January.
Keep Mowing (But Raise the Blade)
Many homeowners put the mower away too early. Your grass continues growing into November and sometimes December in Louisiana. Keep mowing as needed, but raise your blade height by half an inch for the last few cuts of the season. This helps the grass store energy for winter dormancy.
Apply Fall Pre-Emergent
As mentioned in our weed control guide, a fall pre-emergent application in September–October prevents winter annual weeds from establishing. This is one of the most impactful treatments you can do for your lawn all year.
Clean and Edge Your Beds
Fall is a great time to clean out annual flowers that have finished blooming, cut back perennials, and re-edge your landscape beds. Clean beds going into winter mean less work in spring and a tidier appearance throughout the dormant season.
Trim Trees and Shrubs
Late fall and early winter is an ideal time for structural pruning on most trees and shrubs—they're dormant, so cuts heal cleanly and you can see the branch structure clearly. Remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches and shape hedges before spring growth begins.
Winterize Irrigation
If you have an irrigation system, drain it and shut it down before the first hard freeze (usually late December in our area). Frozen water in pipes and sprinkler heads can cause costly damage. We offer irrigation winterization as part of our seasonal maintenance programs.
Schedule a Professional Cleanup
Fall cleanup is one of our most popular services. Our team handles leaf removal, bed cleanup, pruning, and property-wide debris clearing. We'll have your property looking sharp going into winter and set up for a strong spring. Reach out for a free quote.