You’ve invested time and money into your landscape design. Now winter is coming, and that could mean trouble for your plants, your lawn, and your hardscape. Fall is the time to take action to prevent and mitigate the effects of winter on your landscape. Here are 10 tips to help you protect your landscape during the winter season:
1. Trim your plants and trees. In preparation for winter, trim perennial plants, like peonies and daisies. Most shrubs and hedges should also be pruned during this time. It’s also a good time to cut back dead branches on trees. You can contact a landscaping company to help with the project.
2. Remove leaves and other debris from your lawn every few days. Leaves and debris on your lawn prevent the sunshine from reaching your grass. Leaves covering your lawn can impact the health and growth of your lawn and may leave you with dead or brown grass.
3. Spread mulch around your plants, shrubs, and trees. You need around 2 inches of mulch. The mulch will keep the roots of your plants, shrubs, and trees warm and protected during the winter.
4. Mow your lawn one last time before winter. Cut the grass to about 2 inches. This will help protect new growths in the grass. It will also protect the lawn from some types of insects.
5. Water your lawn, plants, and trees before winter arrives. You want your lawn, plants, and trees as healthy as possible for the onset of winter. Without the hot days, the moisture will remain longer. Your plants don’t need as much water during the winter. Be careful not to overwater the plants during winter because too much water could damage the roots.
6. Cover your plants. During the night, your plants produce carbon dioxide, which creates warm air. Wrapping the plants creates a blanket that insulates them. You can wrap the plants in burlap or plastic, or you can use garden blankets or plant domes to protect your plants from the frigid temperatures.
7. Apply a sealant to your lawn. A moisture sealant can protect the lawn before winter hits. When your lawn freezes, don’t walk on it. This prevents bare spots from appearing throughout your lawn.
8. Move your plants to cut down on their exposure to the winter cold. If you have room in your basement or garage, you can bring your potted plants in for the winter. If you don’t have a structure to put the plants in, you can move them to your patio, near a retaining wall, or close to your house. The patio or wall can protect the plants from the wind and snow. The temperature is warmer closer to your home than out in the open areas.
9. Avoid excessive use of salt and deicer. Salt can harm plants and erode concrete driveways and patios. When you shovel snow, don’t leave piles on your lawn. Large piles of snow can prevent the soil from absorbing water and nutrients.
10. Get help. Preparing your lawn, trees, and plants for the winter season can be difficult and time-consuming. Contact an experienced landscaping company for help with your landscaping in Alpharetta.
Call Stoeckig Landscape Group at 770-831-1790 for your landscaping needs throughout the year. We can help you prepare your lawn, trees, and plants for the winter season. You’ll be ready for a great lawn, healthy trees, and beautiful plants and flowers in the spring.