Flat illustration of a cozy autumn yard with falling orange and red leaves, a rake leaning on a fence, and a tidy lawn

The fall reset: get your yard winter-ready

The window is short — a few weekends between leaf drop and the first freeze. Five practical guides to clear the leaves, clean the gutters safely, winterize the lawn, and store your tools right.

Start the reset →

Fall yard work isn't complicated, but timing matters. These guides keep it simple: what to do first, what can wait, and when to hire out instead of climbing a ladder yourself.

All the guides

Flat illustration of a backyard checklist: falling leaves, a garden bed, and tools laid out on a sunny autumn morning

Start here

The October yard reset: where to start

The window is short — leaves, beds, patios, and furniture. How to prioritize the work so the freeze doesn't beat you.

Flat illustration of three leaf-handling options: a mower mulching leaves, paper yard-waste bags, and a compost bin

Your leaf strategy: mulch, bag, or compost

Mulch-mowing, bagging, composting, and curb programs — pick the method that fits your trees and your weekends.

Flat illustration of a sturdy ladder against a house eave with safety highlights: level ground, a spotter, and clean gutters

The safe way to clean gutters

Ladder safety first — and the honest signs it's time to hire it out. What clean gutters prevent, and how to keep them clear.

Flat illustration of a lawn in transition: a mower doing a final high cut, fresh seed patches, and a garden hose being coiled

Lawn winter prep: the last mow and more

The final cut, overseeding basics, and a deep watering before the freeze — the three moves that set up spring grass.

Flat illustration of a tidy garage corner: clean tools hung on a wall, a covered lawnmower, and folded patio furniture under a cover

Storing tools and outdoor gear for winter

Clean, sharpen, winterize the mower, drain the hoses, and cover the furniture — so everything works again in spring.