Winter can be a tough season for your yard, but with the right maintenance, you can keep it looking beautiful all year round. Here are 9 essential tips to help you maintain your winter landscape:
Have Soil Tested
If you haven’t done so recently, consider having your soil tested. This will give you a good idea of what nutrients your soil may be lacking and how to best care for it during the winter months. Apply lime or iron supplements as recommended by the soil test to promote healthy growth.
Use Herbicides
Broadleaf/selective herbicides can help control winter annual and perennial weeds. These pesky plants can take over your yard if left unchecked, so it’s important to use herbicides as needed to keep them under control.
Remove Old Growth
To kickstart growth, it’s recommended to power rake, mow, sweep, or aerate your lawn to eliminate excessive old growth. This not only accelerates soil warming but also enhances the greening of your lawn. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for those mischievous moles!
Overseed Thin Spots
Thin spots in your lawn can be a headache to deal with during the winter. To avoid this, overseed thin areas using cool-season grass seeds. This will help fill in any bare spots and maintain a luscious green look throughout the colder months. For optimal results, use a starter fertilizer that does not contain any weed-control herbicides. It is recommended to apply weed control products six weeks after new growth has emerged.
If Not Seeding…
For areas where seeding is not necessary, consider applying Turf Builder + HALTS Crabgrass preventer from late February to mid-March, after raking or dethatching. The latest recommended date to apply the pre-emergence herbicide is April 15th. It is advisable to prepare for application before a thorough rainfall or plan to water it in.
Plant Trees
February and March are the ideal time to plant trees before the temperatures soar. Ensure optimal growth and survival by taking advantage of the moderate climate.
Apply Tree and Shrub Fertilizer and Hort Oil.
Applying tree and shrub fertilizer will help promote healthy growth, while horticultural oil can protect against harmful insects and diseases during the winter months.
Prune Summer Flowering Shrubs
Before the emergence of new foliage, it is advisable to frequently trim vigorously growing plants. As for Evergreens and Hollies, prune them as necessary.
Apply Mulch or Pine Straw
Using mulch or pine straw as fertilizer is highly beneficial for new plants. To ensure optimal growth, it is recommended to remove any old pine straw or mulch to a depth of 2 inches and then reapply. This practice not only promotes healthier plants, but also helps in maintaining an aesthetically pleasing garden.
GLS Landscaping: Your Partner in Winter Landscape Maintenance
Maintaining a beautiful winter landscape can be challenging, but with these essential tips and the help of GLS Landscaping, it doesn’t have to be. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing top-quality winter landscape maintenance services to keep your yard looking its best all year round. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you achieve your landscaping goals.
