Fall Yard Cleanup Services

A fall cleanup is more than raking. It is the last big job of the gardening year, and it decides how your yard looks in April. Green Crest Landscaping handles the whole list in one visit or two: leaves, perennials, shrubs, lawn, beds, patios and debris. We serve Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora, Newmarket and Thornhill from early October until the ground freezes.

If you only need leaves cleared, see our dedicated leaf cleanup and leaf removal page. If you want the whole yard put to bed for winter, this is the service.

What a fall cleanup includes

• Leaf removal from lawns, beds, driveways, patios and decks.
• Perennial cutbacks for plants that turn mushy over winter, such as hostas and daylilies, while leaving seed heads that feed birds if you prefer.
• Annuals and planters emptied and cleaned out.
• Final lawn mow at the right height to reduce snow mould risk.
• Bed edging and weeding so beds hold their shape until spring.
• Light shrub tidying to remove broken or rubbing branches before snow load.
• Debris and branch removal, with everything bagged or hauled away.
• Hard surface blow-off of walkways, driveways, steps, patios and decks.

Why a fall cleanup pays off in spring

The work you skip in November comes back in April, usually worse. Leaves left on the lawn mat down under snow and encourage snow mould. Perennials left standing in wet beds collapse into a slimy layer that hides new shoots and invites slugs. Long grass folds over under snow and stays damp. Garden debris shelters pests and disease through the winter. A proper fall cleanup removes all of that, so the first spring visit is a quick tidy rather than a rescue job.

It also protects the house. Leaves and debris against the foundation, in window wells and around downspouts hold water and slow drainage during freeze-thaw cycles and spring melt.

How our fall cleanup works

1. Tell us about the yard. Call or WhatsApp photos of the front, back and garden beds. Let us know about any plants you want left standing.
2. Written quote. We quote the full scope in writing before any work starts, including bagging or haul-away.
3. Schedule. Most fall cleanups are booked from mid October to late November, timed for when most leaves have dropped.
4. Crew visit. Beds first, then lawn and leaves, then the final mow and hard surfaces.
5. Walkthrough. The crew checks the property before leaving. Heavy-tree yards can add a second leaf visit.

Fall cleanup timing in York Region

In Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora and Newmarket, the main leaf drop runs from mid October to mid November, and perennials are usually ready to cut back after the first hard frost. Most fall cleanups happen between the third week of October and the end of November. Once the ground freezes or snow stays on the ground, the season is over, so the last weeks fill up fast. Book in early October to get your preferred dates.

Fall cleanup or leaf cleanup?

Choose leaf cleanup if your garden beds are simple or you look after them yourself and you only need leaves cleared and taken away. Choose a full fall cleanup if you have perennial beds, planters and a lawn you want winter-ready, or if you would rather hand the whole end-of-season list to one crew.

Pair it with winter service

Many customers book their winter snow removal at the same time as their fall cleanup. During the fall visit we can note driveway edges, curbs and beds for the plow crew, so winter service starts without surprises. In Markham, our busiest snow city, see snow removal Markham.

Who books a fall cleanup

• Homeowners with mature trees and busy fall schedules.
• Seniors and anyone who wants to avoid heavy raking and bagging.
• Sellers preparing a house to list in late fall or early spring.
• Landlords and property managers with rental homes.
• Townhouse and condo communities with shared green space.

Fall cleanup questions

When should I book a fall cleanup?

Book in early October for a visit between late October and late November. That timing catches most of the leaf drop and lets perennials go dormant first.

Should I cut back all my perennials?

Not necessarily. Soft perennials such as hostas are best cut back, while ornamental grasses and plants with seed heads can stay standing for winter interest and birds. Tell us your preference and we will follow it.

Do you take away the debris?

Yes. Everything can be bagged for your municipal yard waste collection or hauled away by our crew.

How long does a fall cleanup take?

Most residential properties take a few hours with a full crew. Large lots and yards with many trees can take longer or need two visits.

How much does a fall cleanup cost?

It depends on yard size, tree cover, bed area and disposal choice. You get a written quote before any work starts.

Which areas do you serve?

Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora, Newmarket and Thornhill.

What affects your fall cleanup quote

• Yard size: front, back and side yards, and how much of each is lawn or garden.
• Leaf volume: mature maples and oaks drop far more than young trees, and a late visit means more leaves.
• Garden beds: how many beds, how large and how much growth needs attention.
• Access: gates, slopes, narrow side yards and fenced backyards.
• Haul-away: whether material is bagged for municipal collection or taken away.

Send photos of your front and back yard by WhatsApp to 647-617-4020 for a written quote before any work starts.

Getting ready for your fall cleanup

• Bring in or stack patio furniture, planters and garden decor you want kept out of the way.
• Tell us about anything fragile: new plantings, bulbs you have just put in, low lighting and irrigation heads.
• Leave gates unlocked or tell us how to get into the backyard.
• Let us know about pets and when the yard is clear of them.
• If you want the driveway marked for winter at the same visit, mention it when you book.

Fall cleanup in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora and Newmarket

Older neighbourhoods such as Unionville and Markham Village, Mill Pond in Richmond Hill, Woodbridge in Vaughan, and the historic streets of Aurora and Newmarket have large, mature trees that drop leaves over several weeks. Newer subdivisions such as Cornell, Vellore Village and Woodland Hill have younger trees but more garden beds and edging close to the house. Large lots in Kleinburg, the Hills of St Andrew and Oak Ridges take longer and usually need more than one visit in a heavy leaf year. For leaves only, see leaf cleanup.

Fall cleanup for rental and commercial properties

Landlords and property managers book fall cleanups so tenants and customers are not walking through wet leaves, which are slippery on walkways and steps, and so the property is ready for winter service. We can plan the fall visit and the snow season together. See fall cleanup and snow plans for rental properties and commercial snow removal.

From fall cleanup to snow season

The last fall visit is the best time to get the property ready for snow. Leaves are off the lawn, beds are tidy and the edges of the driveway are easy to see, so snow stakes can be placed before the ground freezes. Leaves left under snow can lead to snow mould on the lawn in spring. See how to prevent snow mould on an Ontario lawn, how to mark a driveway with snow stakes and residential snow removal.

More fall cleanup questions

Can I book a fall cleanup and snow removal together?

Yes. Many customers book both, and the driveway can be marked at the fall visit.

Do you work in backyards?

Yes, front, back and side yards, as listed in your quote.

What should I ask before hiring anyone?

See questions to ask before hiring a leaf removal service.

Is one fall cleanup enough?

In yards with large maples and oaks, leaves keep falling for several weeks. A heavy leaf year may need a second visit, which we can plan in your quote.

How do I get a quote?

Send photos of your front and back yard by WhatsApp to 647-617-4020, or call.