Preparing Your Landscape for Winter: Essential Tips and Tricks

Preparing Your Landscape for Winter: Essential Tips and Tricks

As winter approaches, preparing your landscape is key to protecting your plants, trees, and hardscapes from cold weather damage. Follow these essential tips to keep your landscape looking its best, even through the coldest months, and ensure a beautiful start to spring.

1. Final Lawn Care: Give Your Grass a Winter Boost

• Mow and Fertilize: Give your lawn one last mow at a slightly lower height to prevent mold growth. Apply a winterizing fertilizer rich in potassium to strengthen roots and enhance resilience through the cold.
• Aerate the Soil: Aerating your lawn allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to penetrate deeper, giving grass a stronger foundation for the spring season.

2. Protect Your Plants and Trees

• Mulch Beds and Root Zones: Apply a thick layer of mulch (2-3 inches) around trees, shrubs, and perennials. Mulch insulates roots, retains moisture, and helps stabilize soil temperatures during freezing weather.
• Prune and Trim: Trim any dead branches from trees and shrubs to prevent breakage from ice or snow accumulation. This reduces the risk of damage and keeps plants healthy.
• Wrap Sensitive Plants: Protect young trees and delicate shrubs from frost and wind by wrapping them with burlap or breathable plant covers. This barrier helps shield them from harsh winter conditions.

3. Winterize Your Garden Beds

• Clean Out Annuals and Weeds: Remove dead annuals, weeds, and any leftover vegetable plants from beds. This reduces pests and diseases that could overwinter in your garden.
• Plant Winter Hardy Options: Add a few winter-hardy plants like evergreens, or berry bushes to create visual interest. These plants thrive in winter and give color to an otherwise dormant landscape.

4. Prep Your Hardscapes and Pathways

• Seal Cracks in Pavers and Patios: Water expands when it freezes, so sealing any cracks in your hardscapes can prevent further damage. Fanelli Landscape Supply offers a variety of hardscape solutions, including Cambridge paving stones, designed for durability.
• Remove Leaves and Debris: Clear leaves and debris from pathways and patios to reduce slipping hazards and maintain a neat appearance through the winter.

5. Irrigation and Watering Tips

• Deep-Water Before Freezing: Give your shrubs, trees, and evergreens a deep watering before the ground freezes to keep roots hydrated through winter.
• Drain and Store Hoses and Irrigation Equipment: Winterize your irrigation system by shutting it down and draining any remaining water. Store hoses and tools in a dry place to prevent freezing and cracking.

6. Organize and Store Your Tools

• Clean and Sharpen Tools: Take time to clean, sharpen, and oil your gardening tools. This prevents rust and ensures they’re ready for spring.
• Service Your Power Equipment: Service mowers, trimmers, and other equipment to prevent rust and wear. Store them in a dry place to protect them from winter moisture.

7. Plan Ahead for Spring

• Plant Bulbs Now: Plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses now. They’ll lie dormant through winter and emerge as early blooms once the weather warms.
• Get Inspiration for Next Year’s Projects: Use the off-season to think about new hardscape additions or garden features. Check out our selection of natural and cultured stone, decorative gravel, and other hardscape essentials at Fanelli Landscape Supply.

Final Thoughts

Winterizing your landscape now can save you time, money, and effort in the long run. Whether you’re prepping your plants, protecting hardscapes, or preparing tools for spring, Fanelli Landscape Supply has everything you need to keep your property beautiful and resilient all year long. Visit us for the latest in seasonal supplies, expert advice, and landscaping inspiration!