Year-Round Yard Care Calendar for Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket Homes

Short answer: In Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket, spring is cleanup and lawn recovery, summer is mowing and watering, fall is leaves, beds and winter prep, and winter is snow removal and salting. Plan each season a few weeks ahead so the work is booked before the rush.

Spring (April to May)

• Rake out snow mould patches and winter debris.
• Remove snow stakes once the ground thaws.
• Cut back grasses and perennials left standing for winter.
• Overseed thin areas once soil warms.

Summer (June to August)

• Mow high and often, and water deeply in dry spells.
• Edge beds and refresh mulch.
• Trim hedges after their spring growth.

Fall (September to November)

• Aerate and overseed in early September.
• Clear leaves through October and November. See leaf cleanup.
• Cut back soft perennials and do the final mow. See fall cleanup.
• Mark driveway edges and book snow service.

Winter (December to March)

• Driveway, walkway and windrow clearing. See snow removal.
• Salt before refreeze, and keep salty snow off lawns and beds.
• Brush heavy snow off shrubs gently.

Adjusting the calendar to your yard

Every property moves through the seasons a little differently. A yard with mature maples or oaks will need more than one leaf visit, while a newer lot with young trees may only need a single cleanup late in the fall. Shady lots stay wet longer in spring, so wait until the lawn is firm underfoot before raking hard or walking on it.

Watch the weather rather than the date. A warm October can delay leaf drop, and an early freeze can bring the first salting call forward. Keep a simple note of when the leaves came down, when the first snow stayed on the ground and when the lawn greened up. After a year or two you will have a calendar that fits your own street.

Finally, think about access. Gates, narrow side yards, steep driveways and parked cars all affect how a crew works, so mention them when you book.

Booking calendar

1. Early September: book fall cleanup dates.
2. October: book snow removal before the first storm.
3. March: book spring cleanup.

Questions homeowners ask

What is the busiest season for landscapers?

Spring and the late fall leaf season, then the first snowstorms.

Can one company handle all four seasons?

Many can. Ask which seasonal services they offer.

When does snow season start here?

The first lasting snow usually arrives between late November and December, though early storms happen.