Winter can wreak havoc on landscaping. But with proper planning and preparation, you can protect your investment by helping your landscaping settle in for a long winter’s nap. Read our winter landscape tips for a healthy lawn when it wakes up in the spring.
Winter Landscape Tips for a Long Winter’s Nap
These landscaping and lawn care tips protect your lawn, plants, trees, and shrubs from snow, ice, winds, and winter temperatures.
Lawn Care
Rake leaves and remove debris. Leaves and debris can smother your lawn and stunt new growth, or worse. It can kill it altogether.
Cut the grass shorter. You should cut the blades between 3 to 3.5 inches when the grass grows. But the final lawn cutting should be about 2 to 2.5 inches. Cutting it shorter will protect new growth and minimize the risk of your lawn becoming an all-you-can-eat buffet for ground pests.
Aerate and fertilize before the first freeze. Your lawn won’t use the fertilizer while dormant. It will, however, use the nutrients as soon as the weather starts to warm.
Shrubs
Mulch. Add a two-inch layer of mulch around trees, plants, and shrubs to add extra protection for the winter. It will also help control erosion, reduce water loss, and help maintain soil temperature around the roots.
Prune. The best time to prune many plants and scrubs is in late winter before spring growth starts. Pruning in the latter part of the dormant season will only leave the plant exposed to the elements briefly before new growth begins.
Protect against winter burn. Winter burn happens when an evergreen tree or shrub loses more water than it can take in. Apply anti-transpirants to protect your plants and trees against water loss. Burlap wrapping may also shield valuable evergreens from winter winds and salt spray.
Trees
Prepare tree branches for snow and ice. Tie branches together that may be susceptible to snow loads. Remove snow from low branches during snowy weather by gently brushing it from the tree. Avoid shaking the limbs. It may cause them to break. Remove any limbs that are vulnerable to breaking. Ice or snow-damaged trees are more prone to disease.
Protect young trees from animal damage. Apply wire mesh to the base of young trees to protect against the gnawing teeth of wildlife.
Minimize salt damage. Salt and melting agents for snow and ice can damage plants and trees by drawing water away from the roots. Get rid of extra salt. Flush out the soil with plenty of water after using salt on the driveway, walkways, or streets.
With these winter landscape tips, you’ll ensure your property is prepared for a long winter’s nap and ready to bounce back when spring comes.
A Great Lawn Year-Round
Do you live in Northwest Arkansas and need help with your landscaping and lawn care maintenance? At Nichols Reliable Lawn Care & More, we understand that finding time to care for your property is hard. We can help. Your lawn is our passion, and our experts understand what your lawn needs to look great all year. Call our team and leave your yard to us. 479.502.2192
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