As winter approaches, it's important to take the necessary steps to protect your garden from the cold weather. Taking care of your landscaping in the winter is essential for keeping your lawn and garden healthy and vibrant. When it comes to winter landscaping, one of the most important steps is fertilizing. To ensure that your lawn is getting the nutrients it needs, use a spreader to apply fertilizer pellets.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the package, as too much fertilizer can burn your lawn. Additionally, buy grass seeds that are suitable for cold weather, such as fescues. You can then spread the seed evenly across your lawn with the same spreader you used for fertilizer. It's also important to adjust the height of your lawn mower when mowing your lawn in the winter. Cut it shorter than usual, but not so short that it pulls out the scalp and exposes the crown of the plant to extreme conditions.
To promote a healthy garden, winter is a good time to do a thorough cleaning. Remove old leaves and debris from all your beds and compost material if possible. The Department of Agriculture publishes a climate map that can help you select which plants are best for winter landscaping in your area. Having a personalized winter gardening plan for your property and microclimate can increase the survival rate of your plants, trees, and shrubs. Consider subtle tones to bring warmth to winter gardens, or try lighting walkways and driveways with attractive floor lanterns. When dealing with ice in winter, avoid using salt-based solutions as they can kill lawns and garden plants.
Since you won't need to water as much during this season, take advantage of this time to proactively take care of your garden. If you're short on time or creative landscaping ideas, consider hiring a landscaper in your area. Finally, don't forget about gutters when winterizing your garden. Keeping them clean and free of debris will help protect your garden from damage caused by ice and snow.
