Although it’s likely that most of your landscaping will go dormant during the winter, you still need to protect it if you want it to bounce back in the spring. Much of this comes down to preparing your landscape for winter weather before temperatures start to drop. Here are some tips that will help you with that.
1. Prepare Your Lawn
Your lawn is probably the biggest element of your landscape, so it should take priority. First of all, stop mowing your lawn once temperatures consistently drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which usually happens in late October or early November. This is when your grass starts to go dormant. Cutting it too short during this time could prevent it from growing back in the spring.
Next, plant new grass seed, especially if you have any bare spots in your lawn. This helps make your lawn less vulnerable to disease and ensures that you have lush green grass in the spring. Finally, fertilize your lawn in mid-to-late fall to give your lawn a head start once spring rolls around again.
2. Plant for the Spring in the Middle of Fall
If you’re going to plant new seeds and bulbs for the spring, do so in the middle of fall. The lower temperatures then will give insects and diseases less of an opportunity to harm young and vulnerable plants.
3. Clean Your Yard
Cleaning your yard and garden reduces the chances of developing pest problems during the winter. Remove annuals and all dead foliage, and trim the stems of perennials down to 1 or 2 inches above the ground.
4. Lay Mulch on Flowerbeds and Around Shrubs
Laying mulch on your flowerbeds and around young shrubs will help insulate the soil and protect roots from hard freezes. Try to apply mulch in a donut shape around your plants, and leave some room around the bases of stems and trunks.
5. Prune Your Trees and Shrubs During the Winter
Pruning your trees and shrubs is good for their health, but wait until they go dormant during the winter to do so. This will avoid stimulating new growth until the spring.
For more tips on preparing your landscape for the winter, or if you’re looking for professional landscape design services in Chattanooga, TN, contact Global Land Solutions today. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help ensure that your landscaping remains healthy throughout the year.