Caring for Your Landscape This Fall in Omaha

Fall is one of our favorite times of year in Omaha. The air feels crisp, the colors are stunning, and it is the perfect season to give your landscape some extra attention before winter arrives. A little effort now will make a big difference when everything wakes up again in spring.

Plant for the Future
Cooler weather and warm soil create the best conditions of the year for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. These plants will have time to develop strong roots before the ground freezes. Fall favorites in our area include maples, hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, and oaks.

Trim and Tidy
Now is the time to trim back overgrown or damaged branches and shape your shrubs. This helps your plants stay healthy and keeps your landscape looking neat through winter. Wait until after spring bloom to prune flowering shrubs like lilacs or forsythia.

Hold Off on Cutbacks
Dormant perennials can add beauty and ecological value throughout the winter months. Their dried seed heads and stems create visual interest, provide food for birds and wildlife, and offer shelter for overwintering beneficial insects and butterflies. Rather than cutting everything back, consider a balanced approach. Trim select perennials for a tidier appearance while leaving others standing until spring. For example, you might maintain a clean look in the front yard while allowing backyard perennials and ornamental grasses to remain until May. Overgrown or floppy perennials can still be cut back now to help them return to a more manageable shape next season.

Protect with Mulch
A fresh layer of mulch around trees and garden beds helps lock in moisture and insulate roots from temperature swings. You can also apply an anti-desiccant to evergreens to protect them from drying winter winds.

Install White Tree Guards
White tree guards are an easy and effective way to protect young trees from two major threats—deer damage and sunscald. Deer often rub their antlers against tree trunks in fall and winter, stripping bark and causing lasting harm. A sturdy guard prevents this by creating a physical barrier around the trunk. The white color also reflects sunlight, helping to regulate trunk temperature during the winter months when intense sun and cold nights can cause bark cracking known as sunscald. By installing white tree guards, you help ensure healthy, smooth bark development and give your trees the best chance to thrive through every season.

Think Ahead to Spring Blooms
Fall is also the time to plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and alliums. When the snow melts, you will be rewarded with bright color and early signs of life in your garden.

At Jensen Gardens, we love helping Omaha homeowners prepare their landscapes for the changing seasons. Whether you need help with fall clean-up, planting, or protecting your outdoor spaces, our team is here to make it easy.

📞 Call (402) 253-8880 or fill out our form to schedule your fall services today.