Missed your fall yard cleanup? What to do before snow

Walk the routes you’ll use in winter

Start at the door you actually use. Walk to the driveway, bins, and woodpile. Clear wet leaves and small branches from steps and paths, and move hoses or planters out of the way before snow covers them. If you only get one thing done, make it the route you use every day.

Check where roof runoff lands

From the ground, look for gutters spilling over and downspout outlets buried in leaves. Notice where the water goes: a downspout that drains onto your front walk can leave ice there after a freeze. If you see ice at the roof edge, use the ice dams and icicles guide to decide who to call. For overflow or a suspected clog, see the gutter cleaning guide.

Make the first load of firewood easy to reach

Check whether a delivery pile, garden cart, or branch pile is in the way of the route you’ll take with an armload. If you still need to stack a delivery, decide which end you’ll take from first and leave room to approach it. See how to stack firewood so it stays put.

Leave the low-priority work for spring

If a thick mat of leaves is smothering part of the lawn, clear that patch when conditions allow. Thin, scattered leaves and many standing perennials can wait. See where to leave leaves and where to clear them.

If you’re asking for help with a late fall cleanup, send a photo of the path or area you need cleared first. It’s fine to ask for just that part of the yard.