Martin Services' fall cleanup includes complete leaf removal from lawns and garden beds, a final mowing at reduced height, garden bed clearing and cutback of perennials, gutter cleaning, and full debris hauling from the property. This comprehensive service prepares your Powassan, North Bay, or Northern Ontario property to come through winter in the best possible condition and sets the stage for a strong spring recovery. We do not cut corners on fall cleanup because everything left behind gets magnified by five to six months under snow.
Leaf Removal
Complete leaf removal is the centerpiece of fall cleanup. Our crew uses commercial blowers and vacuums to clear every leaf from your lawn, garden beds, walkways, and patio areas. Matted leaves left on turf through winter cause snow mold, dead patches, and delayed spring green-up. Leaves left in garden beds can smother perennial crowns and create disease-friendly moisture traps. We remove all leaves from the property — not just blow them to the edges where they cause problems in a different location.
Final Mowing
The last mow of the season is done at a slightly lower height than normal — approximately 2.5 inches instead of the usual 3 to 3.5 inches. This shorter cut reduces the grass length that lays over under snow, minimizing the surface area where snow mold can develop. It is important not to cut too short, as scalping the lawn heading into winter removes the energy reserves stored in the grass blades. Martin Services calibrates this final cut based on 35 years of experience managing Northern Ontario lawns through winter.
Garden Bed Clearing and Perennial Cutback
Dead perennial growth is cut back to two to four inches above ground level. Annual flowers and vegetable plants are removed entirely. This prevents dead plant material from becoming a moisture trap and pest habitat under snow cover. We leave certain perennials standing where they provide winter interest or bird habitat, based on client preference. Garden bed edges are given a final cleanup, and any remaining weeds are pulled before they go to seed.
Gutter Cleaning and Debris Hauling
Clogged gutters filled with fall leaves cause ice dams in Northern Ontario winters, which can damage roofing and soffits. Our fall cleanup includes clearing gutters and downspouts as a standard part of the service. All debris — leaves, branches, plant material, and gutter contents — is hauled away from the property. Nothing gets left in piles for you to deal with later.
Ready to book fall cleanup? Call Martin Services at (249) 506-9211 for a free estimate.