Spring, summer, fall and winter each bring unique demands on your outdoor space here in Middle Tennessee. At Epperson Landscape, we believe that staying ahead with seasonal maintenance — trimming bushes, cleaning up leaves and freshening mulch — keeps your yard healthy, attractive and ready for whatever the weather brings. Here’s how to think about it, and how we help.
The Role of Seasonal Maintenance
A landscape is not a “set it and forget it” asset. It evolves with the seasons and needs proper care to maintain structural beauty, plant health, and curb appeal. Regular maintenance ensures that plants don’t grow out of control, that leaves and debris don’t suffocate groundcover or beds, and that fresh mulch not only looks sharp but also protects your soil and plants.
1. Trimming Bushes and Shrubs: Timing & Technique
Why trimming matters
- Overgrown shrubs can block sight-lines, interfere with walkways or driveways, and overshadow other plants.
- Proper trimming promotes healthy growth—cuts allow light and air in and reduce disease risk.
- For certain plants, timing of pruning influences blooming and shape.
Best timing for Middle Tennessee
- Late winter to early spring is ideal for most shrubs: before active growth starts, you can trim without sacrificing blooms or stressing the plant.
- After summer storms or high humidity periods, inspect for damaged limbs and remove as needed.
- Avoid major trimming during extreme heat or drought conditions to prevent stress.
How Epperson Landscape helps
Our team assesses your existing plantings, determines which shrubs need shaping and which may need replacement. We use precise trimming tools and industry-best practices so your landscape stays neat and plants stay healthy.
2. Leaf & Debris Cleanup: Don’t Wait
Why clean-up is critical
- Leaves and organic debris left in landscape beds or on lawn act as a blanket that can block sunlight, trap moisture and lead to mold or fungal growth.
- Especially during the fall, leaf drop can be heavy — if not cleared, it can smother ground-cover, choke border plants and slow drainage.
- Even in winter and early spring, leftover debris can hold moisture that later promotes pests or disease.
Seasonal strategy for Middle Tennessee
- Late fall: Prior to winter, clear leaves from beds, around shrubs and from lawn. This readies the space for winter dormancy and prevents buildup.
- Early spring: A second cleanup helps remove leftover debris before plants start vigorous growth and prevents early season issues.
- Throughout the growing season: Spot-cleaning is important — leaves from trees, dropped branches after storms, and general debris should not be ignored.
Our approach
Epperson’s maintenance crews systematically clear beds, prune out old plant material, and ensure all debris is removed rather than simply mulched in place. This keeps the site clean and prevents hidden issues.
3. Freshening Mulch: Beauty + Function
What mulch does for your yard
- Mulch regulates soil temperature, retains moisture and suppresses weeds.
- Fresh mulch gives your beds a crisp, clean appearance, enhancing curb appeal.
- Over time mulch breaks down, compacts or loses color — renewing it brings both aesthetic and functional benefits.
When to replace or refresh mulch
- Early spring: A great time to refresh mulch before new growth begins and when moisture levels are rising.
- Late fall: After leaf cleanup, you may freshen mulch again so that beds go into winter in good shape.
- Check annually: If mulch looks faded, decomposed, or beneath it you can no longer see soil underneath — it’s time to refresh.
How we do it at Epperson Landscape
We remove old, shredded mulch if needed, prepare the soil surface, apply fresh premium mulch with uniform depth and clean edges. We also match mulch type and color to your property’s style and ensure that the mulch complements your plantings.
4. Pulling It All Together: A Seasonal Maintenance Schedule
Here’s a simple seasonal maintenance roadmap for your Middle Tennessee property:
- Late winter / early spring: Prune shrubs, clear winter debris, freshen mulch.
- Spring into summer: Monitor growth, do spot trimming, clean up after storms, maintain beds.
- Late summer / early fall: Major leaf clean‐up begins, prep beds for fall, trim as needed.
- Late fall: Final leaf/debris removal, freshen mulch, prune minimally if required, prepare for winter dormancy.
- Winter: Fewer active tasks, but monitor for fallen limbs, heavy snow/ice damage, and ensure beds are not stressed.
Why Choose Epperson Landscape for Your Maintenance
As a family-owned and operated company serving Middle Tennessee, Epperson Landscape brings more than just basic maintenance. We bring expertise, licensed and insured crews, and a focus on quality and customization. Whether you’re in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Mt. Juliet or surrounding counties, we understand this region’s unique climate and how it impacts your outdoor spaces.
We don’t just perform tasks — we evaluate your landscape annually, identify problem areas, recommend improvements, and ensure your plantings and hardscape look their best year-round.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re looking to refresh your landscape, schedule seasonal maintenance or just get expert advice on your bushes, mulch or bed cleanup, we’re here to help. Contact Epperson Landscape today.
Let’s make sure your outdoor space in Middle Tennessee stays beautiful and healthy through every season.
