Common Landscape Cleanup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Whether your landscape cleanups are seasonal or more frequent, you have different priorities each time you take your tools out of the garage to get started. Some steps should be included in every type of cleanup, and some should always be avoided. Read on for three common cleanup mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them.

Over-Pruning During a Cleanup

Despite your initial thoughts, it is possible to over-prune your plants. Pruning is not just an aesthetic maintenance practice–it also contributes to plant health. It’s recommended not to remove more than 20-25% of a tree’s canopy in a single pruning session, as pruning more could result in permanent disfiguration or death of your plant. Over-pruning can cause a number of problems, including stunted growth, interior sprouting, weakened defenses, structural issues, top-heavy trees, root dieback, and nutritional deficiencies. This means the trees have less protection from sun, wind, pests, and disease and will also weaken the plant by causing new growth that’s prone to breakage. It’s important to note that older trees are less tolerant to heavy pruning. If you do over-prune a tree, you can try watering and fertilizing it with a nitrogen-rich, organic fertilizer and applying a layer of compost to the roots. You could also try a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the tree, but be careful not to lay it too close to the trunk as this could cause more damage. Ultimately, ensure you inspect the tree often and give it time to grow back.

Improper Disposal of Yard Cleanup Waste

Landscape cleanups can take a toll on your energy–but that doesn’t mean the disposal of cleanup waste shouldn’t be taken seriously. In many cases, you can reuse your waste in compost and other organic matter and apply it to your plants for increased nutrient infiltration. Improper disposal of yard cleanup waste can lead to environmental pollution, health risks, and increased risks of wildfires. It’s important not to blow or sweep yard waste into the street or sidewalk or dump it into inlets, storm drains, or creek beds. Use and dispose of fertilizers and pesticides as directed on the product, and don’t dump leftovers on the pavement, inlet, or storm drain. How you’re able to dispose of your yard waste may depend on local trash collection policies and laws. Here are some cleanup disposal ideas: use your municipal yard waste collection, take it to a recycling center, rent a roll-off dumpster, hire a private yard waste disposal or junk removal company, compost your yard waste, burn your yard waste if safe and legal to do so, or rent a wood chipper.