The long, hot days of summer are over and we’re seeing pumpkins on porches and leaves on lawns. By the time you read this, it’s likely going to be pretty chilly too. However, the snow’s not here yet, so you have time to prep your yard for the cold months ahead. In this blog, we’ll share some tips for getting your yard ready for winter.
Tip#1: Fertilize the Lawn
Prepare your lawn now for a lush, green spring! Use a grass patch repair mix from your local hardware store to fill in any bald patches. As soon as those patches are repaired, put out any weed control during early- to mid-fall. Once the weeds are dead to the root system, apply lawn fertilizer, which will provide your lawn with the necessary nutrients to survive the cold winter.
Tip#2: Clear the Yard
Clear away lawn furniture and toys. Stack plastic chairs and store any toys or sporting equipment in the garage. It’ll make fall raking easier and when the first snow comes, you won’t risk ruining furniture or special toys.
Tip#3: Rake the Leaves
Rake any leaves that have accumulated. You can either recycle them or use them to mulch your flower beds. You should also use a leaf blower if you can to get all the leaves out of the yard so that mold doesn’t accumulate.
Tip#4: Trim Perennials
Perennials should be pruned to reduce dead growth and encourage regrowth in spring. If you have any annuals growing in your backyard, you can either pull them up when they die (usually happens when the weather cools) or wait until spring.
Tip#5: Apply Compost
Mulch your garden beds and tree bases with chopped leaves and kitchen waste. Vegetable gardens should be treated similarly. Mulching should be done after the weather cools but before the ground freezes. Using organic mulch in the spring will prevent soil erosion and keep it warm.
Tip#6: Plant Spring Bulbs
Fall is the best time to plant shrubs and perennials on your lawn, as it is easier for plants to establish roots in the yard if the soil is cold and moist. Pansies and violas in particular are good choices for fall bulbs because they are hardy and resilient.
Tip #7: Prepare Potted Plants
Unlike their stems and leaves, plants’ roots don’t go dormant over winter, so make sure that any the roots of any potted plants are protected. You can protect the plant from extreme temperature swings by moving it to the shadiest part of your house and putting the pot on dirt rather than pavement; this will keep it from absorbing too much heat during the day and then freezing at night.
Tip #8: Store Gardening Gear
Once you finish getting your yard ready for winter, store your gardening tools, pots, seed starters, and other appliances in a secure location so that you can easily access them as soon as spring hits. That way, you don’t have to search for everything you need once the warm weather returns.
Need Help Getting Your Yard Ready for Winter?
You may need to spend a lot of time getting your yard ready for winter, but your efforts will be rewarded with a lush, healthy lawn and garden for next year. However, if you don’t have the time or resources to prepare your yard yourself, the experienced landscaping team at Green Collar Landscaping can help. To get a free quote on our services, get in touch with us today.