ServicesSeasonal Cleanup
Seasonal Cleanup in Winter Garden
We clear the leaves, cut back what the cold or summer heat left behind, edge the beds and top them off with fresh mulch or pine straw. Before we haul anything in, we talk with you about which ground cover suits your beds.
What a seasonal cleanup is and when to book one
Central Florida does not get a classic fall. Our live oaks hold their leaves through the cooler months, then let go of them in a rush as winter turns to spring. A cold night in January can brown out tender plants. By August, the summer rains have pushed everything into overgrowth. A seasonal cleanup resets the yard at one of those turning points so the mess never piles up.
Most people book two or three a year. One comes after the oak drop and one around the rainy season. Some add a third before the holidays. A single visit works fine too if the yard has gotten away from you.
If the job is bigger than a reset, like years of buildup, an overgrown back lot or debris after a storm, our Property Cleanup service is the better fit. We will tell you which one you need when we walk the yard.
What we do on a cleanup visit
Leaf and debris removal
We rake and blow leaves out of the beds, off the lawn and from along fences and the AC unit. Oak leaves mat down and hold moisture against the grass, so we pick them up instead of mowing over them. Everything is bagged or loaded and hauled away.
Cutback of cold-damaged and spent plants
After a frost, we wait until new growth shows, then trim the brown tips back to live wood. Cutting too early can invite more damage if another cold night comes. Spent perennials and leggy shrubs get shaped at the same time.
Weeding and a clean bed edge
We pull weeds by the root, not just at the surface. Then we cut a sharp edge between bed and turf, which keeps St. Augustine runners from creeping into your plantings.
Fresh ground cover, explained
Pine straw is light, costs less and is easy to refresh, but it breaks down in a few months and looks thin after hard rain. Pine bark nuggets hold their color longer, though they float and wash off slopes. Shredded hardwood and cypress-blend mulch knit together and stay put better. We bring samples and tell you plainly what holds up in your beds.
Light shrub and hedge shaping
We trim shrubs that have pushed over walkways, windows or screens. Larger trees fall under Tree Trimming and Removal, and palms under Palm Tree Pruning and Removal.
Final sweep
We blow off the driveway, walks and patio before we leave. No piles left at the curb unless you ask for them.
Signs your yard is ready for a cleanup
Leaves smothering the lawn
Yellow patches under a layer of oak leaves mean the grass is not getting light. Waiting longer usually means thinner turf by summer.
Mulch you can see through
When soil or weed fabric shows in the beds, the old cover has broken down. Pine straw gets there fastest. Bark takes longer.
Brown, crispy shrubs after a cold night
Hibiscus, ixora and other tender plants often show frost burn. Once new green growth starts low on the stems, it is time to cut back.
Weeds outrunning the beds
In the rainy season, weeds can go to seed in a couple of weeks. Pulling them before they flower saves a lot of work later.
Plants crowding your home
Shrubs touching siding, screens or the AC unit trap moisture and block airflow. A cutback gives them room and keeps the house side dry.
How a cleanup day runs
- 1
Walkthrough and free estimate
We walk the yard with you, note what needs to go and go over ground cover options. You get a free estimate with each part of the job listed on its own line.
- 2
Clear and cut
The crew starts with leaves and debris, then moves to cutback and weeding. That order matters, because nothing should get buried under new mulch.
- 3
Edge and dress the beds
We cut the edges, rake the beds level and lay the cover you picked. We keep it deep enough to hold down weeds but pulled back from trunks and stems so roots can breathe.
- 4
Haul off and final look
Green waste leaves with us. We blow off the hard surfaces and, if you are home, walk the yard with you before we go.
Where the cost of a cleanup comes from
We set the price once we have seen the yard, since no two are alike. The estimate lists each task on its own line, so you can see what each part costs and cut anything you can skip. If something new turns up during the job, we ask you before adding it.
- Yard size and bed area
- More square footage of beds means more weeding, edging and ground cover. A big lawn with leaf cover takes longer to clear than a small one.
- How much has built up
- A yard cleaned every season takes far less time than one carrying two years of leaves and weeds.
- Ground cover choice and depth
- Pine straw costs less per bale but needs refreshing more often. Bark and hardwood mulch cost more up front and last longer. A full new layer costs more than a top-off.
- Access and haul-off volume
- Narrow side yards, fenced backyards and slopes slow the work. The amount of green waste we carry away also affects the total.
Seasonal cleanup questions
Something not covered here? (407) 410-3813
When is the best time for a cleanup?
Late February through April works well for most yards, after the oaks drop and the last frost has passed. A second visit in late summer or early fall catches the growth from the rainy season. We can set up a schedule that fits your yard.
Should I use pine straw or mulch?
It depends on the bed and how often you want it refreshed. Pine straw is cheaper and good on slopes because it locks together, but it fades quickly. Hardwood or cypress-blend mulch lasts longer and looks fuller. We show you both and tell you which we would pick for each bed.
Do you remove the old mulch or just add on top?
If the old layer is thin and clean, we top it off. If it is matted, moldy or already too deep, we rake some out first. Too much depth keeps water from reaching the roots and can rot stems.
Can you look at my sprinklers while you are there?
Yes. We will point out broken heads or spray hitting the house. Repairs go through our Irrigation service, and we can price that on the same walkthrough.
Do I need to be home on cleanup day?
Not for the work itself, as long as gates are unlocked and pets are inside. We do like to walk the estimate with you so we agree on what stays and what goes.
Get your yard reset for the season
Tell us what is bothering you about the yard. We will stop by, look it over together and put a free estimate in your hands, so you know your ground cover options and the price before any work starts.