GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - It has been a rough year for our lawns and landscaping with dry hot weather.

Your yard may have a harder time weathering the winter because of it.

With the rain expected this weekend, it is important to get leaves off your lawn before it starts to suffocate.

"Especially if they get wet and compacted and then there is no air exchange. Then your lawn will die underneath that" says David Berken, Co-owner of Springivew Landcape Service.

This is also the time of year to aerate Berken explains "You need air space in the soil for roots to do the best, for trees, plants, lawn, everything".

Springview Landscape Service is busy this time of year planting new trees.

"Air temperatures are starting to cool down but our soil temperatures really haven't dropped considerably yet that we can't continue to plant" according to Berken.

But you will have to continue to water. Despite recent soakings the ground is dry.

With temperatures hovering around freezing some nights it is important to water the right way.

"You do not water the foliage, but you want to water alongside the plant where the roots are going to grow. You are hydrating the root zone around where the plant will grow" he says.  

Berken also recommends sprinkling a winterizer on your yard saying "The lawn that you do have, give it a shot in the arm, give it some fertilizer and that will really help a lot".

One other reminder, check your gutters.

With all the leaves falling they could easily back up with the amount of rain in the forecast.