A Mess Might Be Best! (When Less is More) 🐛

A Little Mess Is Best!

Better Fall Cleanups

When it comes to fall cleanup, a perfectly tidy yard isn’t always the healthiest choice for your landscape or the wildlife that calls it home.

While it’s tempting to cut everything back, rake up every leaf, and put your gardens to bed for winter, sometimes doing less is actually doing more!

Fallen leaves, standing perennials, and even small piles of branches provide valuable shelter and food for birds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial wildlife throughout the colder months.

Before you grab your rake and pruning shears, check out our interview below to learn why leaving a few leaves behind can make a big difference!

Watch the Interview from 2023 but still relevant!

Fall Cleanup: The Dos & Don’ts

DON’T cut back every plant in your garden.

DO leave healthy perennials and seed heads standing through winter. Birds enjoy the seeds, while native bees and other beneficial insects find shelter in hollow stems and plant debris.

DON’T bag up every fallen leaf.

DO mulch leaves into your lawn or move them into garden beds. Leaves add valuable organic matter to the soil and provide insulation and protection for overwintering butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Just avoid leaving thick, matted layers on your turf.

DON’T haul away every branch and trimming.

DO create a small brush pile in a quiet corner of your property. These natural shelters provide protection for birds, insects, and other small wildlife during the winter months.

DON’T apply unnecessary lawn and garden chemicals.

DO focus on what your landscape actually needs. A properly timed late-fall lawn fertilization can help support healthy roots and a strong start next spring. Other treatments should be based on your lawn’s specific conditions.

DON’T stress about having a perfectly manicured landscape.

DO embrace a little natural beauty! A less aggressive fall cleanup can benefit your soil, support local wildlife, and give you more time to enjoy the colorful fall season.

A Healthier Landscape Starts with Smarter Fall Care

The goal isn’t to skip fall maintenance altogether. It’s about finding the right balance between keeping your property looking its best and protecting the natural environment.

At Broccolo, we believe beautiful landscapes and healthy ecosystems go hand in hand.

Need a hand getting your landscape ready for winter? Contact Broccolo today to learn how our fall cleanup and landscape maintenance services can help your property look great while supporting a healthier environment.

Want to learn more? Come to the free showing of the Extraordinary Caterpillars film on Wed the 14th (Details Below!)

The SEED Garden

As the gardening season ends and the dead of winter approaches, we may hibernate but the birds don’t. Planting prolific seed producing native perennials gives your winter garden year long interest with shapes and texture. The lively scene of active birds flitting from plant to plant is great way to enjoy your view out the window while you remain cozy and warm inside.

Here are a few favorites: Sea Oats, Rattlesnake master, Scuttelaria and Golden Alexanders. (All Pictured Above) Monarda Punctata, Blue Flag Iris, Yarrow & Coneflowers, and Milkweed (Pictured below)

Broccolo’s B-Friendly Farm & Gardens has a variety of unusual plants and now is the best time to plant.

Take advantage of the fall weather for root growth and get a jump start on your season long gardening.

You can call our office (585)424-4476
Request Online

or visit the Garden Center @ 2755 Penfield Rd.

Save the Date:
The Extraordinary Caterpillar
Free Screening and Panel Discussion
Oct 14th
10:30-1:30
Broccolo Barn
2755 Penfield Rd.
Beverages and light snacks available
This film will change the way you view the world around you.
RSVP via Email to: in**@***********up.com