Yard Tidying Tips for Winter
As the weather turns cold and the leaves begin to fall. It’s time to prepare your yard for winter. But now can make a big difference when spring arrives next year, so keeping your garden healthy and your outdoor space looking neat is a good start.
Whether you’re cleaning up falling leaves, trimming trees, or protecting plants from frost, winter preparation helps your guard to rest and recover for the next growing season. Professional services like Legacy Tree Company can help you with tree care and larger maintenance, but there’s also plenty of simple things you could take on your own. Let’s take a look!
- Clear the fallen leaves and debris. One of the first things to tackle before winter sets in is clearing away fallen leaves, twigs and other debris. While a light layer of leaves can protect grass and provide nutrients as they decompose, too many can suffocate your lawn and invite pests. Use a rake or a leaf blower to gather them, then compost or mulch them for eco-friendly disposal. Keeping your yard clean not only makes it look tidy, but it also prevents mold and disease from spreading to plants during the cold months.
- Trim your trees and shrubs. This is not something you have to do on your own. We’ve already recommended an excellent company for that, but winter weather, especially heavy snow and ice, can weigh down branches and cause them to break. Trimming trees and shrubs before the coldest months can prevent damage to both your plants and your property. Focusing on removing dead or weak branches as they are more likely to snap in bad weather is a good place to begin. Pruning can also encourage healthy growth in the spring.
- Protect your lawn.Your lawns may not grow much during the winter, but it does still need some attention. Give it one last mow before the first frost, setting your mower blade slightly higher to protect grass roots. Avoid walking on frozen grass as it can easily become damaged. If you have bare patches, spread a layer of compost or mulch to keep the soil healthy. It’s a small step, but it can help your lawn to bounce back greener and stronger when the weather warms up again.
- Prepare your garden beds. Once your garden has stopped producing for the season, clear away dead plants and weeds to prevent disease from overwintering. Add a layer of mulch or compost a garden bed to insulate the soil and lock in nutrients. This protects your plant roots from freezing temperatures and improves soil structure for spring planting. You can also cover more delicate plants with burlap or protective fabric to shield them from the harsh wind and frost.
- Store your tools and equipment properly. Before the winter really does, dig in, so clean and store your garden, tools, hoses and outdoor furniture. Drain the water from hoses to prevent cracking and cover or move furniture to a sheltered area. Sharpening and oiling your tools before storing them will make spring gardening much easier. It’s a little bit of organization now that saves you time and extends the life of your equipment.
Preparing your yard for winter doesn’t have to be complicated. A tidy yard isn’t just nice to look at, it’s an investment in the sustainability of your home environment.
