From Late Summer to Snow Prep: Landscaping Tips for the Seasonal Shift in Bend, Oregon
Learn how to transition your Bend, Oregon landscape from late summer beauty to winter-ready resilience with these expert tips from a local landscaping team.
While we still have plenty of summer left in Central Oregon and heat waves come and go, fall—and eventually snow—is coming. In the high desert, where seasons change fast, your landscaping game plan needs to shift just as quickly. Late summer is the perfect time to enjoy what’s still blooming and start prepping your yard for fall and the colder months.
Here’s how to make the most of late summer landscaping in Bend—and get ahead of the fall and winterizing curve.
1. Soak in the Color (and Plan for Fall Interest)
Right now, your yard might still be buzzing with color, but it’s not too early to plan for fall interest.
Add plants like sedum or serviceberry that hold their own into October
Refresh mulch in garden beds to lock in moisture
Deadhead flowers to encourage a few more blooms to burst
2. Dial Back the Water (But Not Too Soon)
Late summer still brings hot days, so don’t shut off the irrigation just yet. Instead:
Adjust your watering schedule to align with cooler night
Check for sprinkler leaks or inefficiencies before winter hits
Deep-water trees and shrubs to prepare them for dormancy
Soon will also be a great time to consider booking irrigation blowout service way ahead of the first freeze.
3. Late-Season Lawn Care in Bend
Bend’s high desert climate can be rough on lawns. To help yours survive winter and come back stronger:
Aerate the lawn in late August or early September
Apply a fall fertilizer to promote strong root growth
Rake regularly to prevent thatch and moss buildup
4. Get Ahead of the Clean-Up
When fall turns the corner, wind and early frosts can lead to a messy yard fast. Start tackling it now:
You can already start removing dead annuals and spent veggie garden plants that have already produced their crop
Cut back perennials that aren’t blooming anymore and that won’t overwinter
Prune trees and shrubs for shape and health in the fall (but avoid heavy pruning too late in the season)
5. Think Ahead: Winterizing Your Yard
Winter in Bend means snow, ice, and plenty of freeze-thaw cycles. A few things to check off your list:
Schedule sprinkler system winterization sooner rather than later (don’t wait until October!) We don’t do this, but we can point you towards the best companies that do
Protect exposed pipes and spigots—this work is way nicer to do when the weather is still nice
Consider installing protective burlap screens for sensitive shrubs
Talk to a local landscaping team about hardscape inspections—freeze damage to patios and retaining walls is no joke
Bonus: Book Fall Projects Before the Rush
If you're dreaming about a fire pit area, raised garden beds, or new stone pathways—now’s the time to get on the schedule before contractors start wrapping up their season. Fall is an ideal time for landscape construction in Bend, Oregon, with cooler temps and soil still workable.
Still dreaming about some landscaping updates this fall?
At Source Landscaping, we help Central Oregon homeowners make the most of every season—if you’re interested in getting some late-season landscape construction still designed and built, give us a call for consultation.
