# Fall yard checklist for Framingham: 9 jobs before the first hard freeze

Fall decides how your yard looks in April. Nine jobs, in order, with the local rules that touch each one.

Gerson's Landscaping, Framingham, MA. Updated 2026-10-31.

## The short answer

- Blow out the sprinkler system before the first hard freeze, usually late October to early November.
- Bag leaves in paper only for City pickup weeks.
- Any fall fertilizer goes down before December 1.

## The 9 jobs, in the order they happen

1. Keep mowing until the grass stops growing.
2. Rake or mulch-mow leaves so they don't mat on the lawn.
3. Bag leaves in paper bags for the City's pickup weeks.
4. Blow out the irrigation system before the first hard freeze.
5. Cut back spent perennials and clear the beds.
6. Prune only what is dead, damaged or in the way.
7. Any last fertilizer goes down before December 1.
8. Stake driveway and walkway edges for snow season.
9. Line up snow removal before the first storm.

## Sprinklers: why the blow-out matters

Water left in the lines can freeze and crack pipes and heads. Irrigation makers advise winterizing before the first hard freeze, which here usually means late October to early November. The backflow device needs care too.

## Missed the overseeding window this year?

UMass puts the strongest window for lawn renovation at August 15 to September 15. If you missed it, write it on next year's calendar now and plan the seed mix over the winter.

> A clean fall yard is half of spring done. Clean-ups clear lawn and beds in one visit.

## Get the fall work done in one visit

Gerson does fall clean-ups in Framingham. Call, or text a photo of the yard. Call or text (781) 866-0850.

## Sources

- Hunter Industries, Winterizing your irrigation system: https://www.hunterindustries.com/en-metric/winterizing-your-irrigation-system (read 2026-10-31)
- City of Framingham, Curbside Leaf and Brush Collection: https://www.framinghamma.gov/3132/Curbside-Leaf-and-Brush-Collection (read 2026-10-31)
- MDAR, Plant Nutrient Regulations for Turf and Lawns: https://www.mass.gov/doc/plant-nutrient-regulations-turf-and-lawns-factsheet/download (read 2026-10-31)
- UMass Extension, Lawn renovation: overseeding: https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/lawn-renovation-overseeding (read 2026-10-31)