After the last trick-or-treater has strolled away, you may be tempted to close the door and shift your focus to the upcoming holidays. But don’t forget, winter is just around the corner, ready to bring its icy touch to your yard. Now is the ideal time to prepare for the challenges of frost, wind, and snow. So how do you winterize your landscaping? Focus on these three key areas:
Lawn Care
- Continue to mow your lawn until the grass ceases to grow, usually around late November.
- Gradually lower the mower blades to achieve a grass height of 2–2.5 inches.
- Fall’s cooler temperatures make it a great time to reseed any bare spots.
- Be diligent about weed removal, especially perennial offenders like dandelions.
- To fortify your lawn against winter’s harshness, consider fertilizing and aerating. If aerating, follow up with fertilizing and reseeding to ensure nutrients directly reach the root zone.
Plant Protection
- To prevent frost cracking, wrap the trunks of thin-barked trees.
- Protect your trees and shrubs from pests by surrounding them with wire mesh screening.
- After the first hard freeze (around 28°F), spread mulch around the base of trees and shrubs, staying 1-2 inches away from stems and trunks.
- Continue watering plants until the ground freezes.
Lawn Cleanup and Maintenance
- Rake leaves promptly to avoid smothering your lawn.
- You can even use mowed leaf clippings as mulch for your flower beds.
- Remove fallen fruit, trim back perennials, and dispose of dead annuals and weeds. This minimizes the chance of pests wintering in your soil.
