Winter can be a tough time for your yard. While many people think of spring and summer as the seasons to focus on landscaping, winter care is just as crucial. Cold temperatures, heavy snow, and ice can cause long-term damage to your lawn, plants, and outdoor features if you’re not prepared. With a little extra care, your yard can thrive even through the harshest winter conditions, setting you up for a beautiful, healthy landscape come spring.
At Stoney Acres, we want to help you protect your landscape and lawn through the winter months. Here are some essential winter yard care tips to keep your outdoor space in top condition.
1. Rake and Remove Leaves Before Snowfall
One of the first steps in winterizing your lawn is to clean up any leftover leaves, twigs, and debris. If leaves are left on the ground during winter, they can trap moisture and promote mold and fungus growth. Additionally, they can block sunlight from reaching your grass, weakening it.
Take the time to rake up fallen leaves in late fall or early winter. You can either bag them for disposal or compost them to enrich your garden soil for the spring. A clean yard also allows snow and ice to settle evenly and naturally without creating spots that could damage your lawn.
2. Water Your Lawn Before the Freeze
It’s easy to forget about watering your lawn in winter since the cold weather reduces evaporation. However, ensuring your grass is well-hydrated before the ground freezes completely is essential. This is particularly important in dry climates where winter rainfall is scarce.
Watering deeply in the fall, before the freeze sets in, ensures that your lawn has enough moisture to stay healthy throughout the cold months. This can help your grass survive the dormant winter and prepare for spring growth.
3. Keep Off Frozen Grass
Walking or driving on frozen grass can cause severe damage. The frozen grass blades become brittle and can snap, leaving brown spots that may not recover when spring comes. Moreover, the pressure of foot traffic or vehicle tires on frozen soil can compact the ground, making it difficult for roots to grow properly when warmer weather returns.
Avoid walking on or driving over frozen lawn areas to protect your grass. If you need access to certain parts of your yard, use a designated pathway or keep foot traffic minimal.
4. Shovel Snow Carefully
While a blanket of snow can look beautiful, it’s essential to clear the snow in a way that doesn’t harm your yard. Avoid piling snow too heavily in the same area, as this can smother your grass and plants. Heavy snow accumulation can cause soil compaction, making it difficult for water and nutrients to penetrate the ground in the spring.
When shoveling snow, spread it out evenly or use a snow blower to avoid excessive buildup in one spot. If you’re using a plow, direct the snow onto areas already covered, such as driveway margins or areas that don’t have sensitive plant life.
5. Protect Trees and Shrubs
Winter weather can be especially harsh on trees and shrubs, with freezing temperatures, ice storms, and heavy snow putting strain on delicate branches. To protect your plants, consider wrapping them in burlap or using tree guards to prevent breakage. This is especially important for young trees or shrubs with delicate bark or branches.
If you’re dealing with evergreens, ensure they have enough water into winter so they aren’t stressed during the cold months. Evergreens tend to lose moisture from their leaves or needles, and in the winter, the lack of rainfall or snow can make dehydration a problem.
6. Apply Mulch Around Plants
Mulch acts as a protective barrier for plants, helping to insulate their roots against temperature fluctuations. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of your plants and trees will help protect the soil and maintain moisture levels, especially during freeze-thaw cycles. This mulch will also help to keep soil erosion at bay and prevent weeds from sprouting during warmer winter days.
Be sure not to pile mulch directly against the stems or trunks of plants, as this can cause rot. Instead, leave a small gap between the mulch and the base of the plant.
7. Avoid Fertilizing in Winter
Winter is not the ideal time to fertilize your lawn, as the grass is typically dormant and cannot effectively absorb nutrients. Fertilizing too early in the winter can also encourage the growth of weeds or cause the fertilizer to wash away with snowmelt.
Instead, focus on fertilizing your lawn in the late fall or early spring when it’s more active. A slow-release fertilizer applied in the fall can help provide nutrients throughout the winter, ensuring a healthy lawn as it wakes up in spring.
8. Salting and Ice Management
If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, you know how important it is to keep your walkways and driveway clear of ice. However, the chemicals in traditional rock salt can harm your lawn, plants, and surrounding soil.
Consider using alternatives such as sand or organic de-icers, which are gentler on your landscape. If you need to use salt, apply it sparingly and try to avoid letting it spill onto your lawn or flower beds.
9. Winterize Irrigation Systems
If you have an irrigation system in place, it’s essential to winterize it to avoid freezing and damage properly. In colder climates, water left in irrigation lines can freeze, expand, and crack the pipes. To avoid this, drain all the water from your system and turn it off until the spring. If you’re unsure how to winterize your system, consider contacting a professional for help.
10. Plan for Spring Landscaping Projects
Winter is also a great time to plan for future landscaping projects. Start thinking about any new plants you want to add, areas you’d like to improve, or hardscaping features such as patios, fire pits, or retaining walls. At Stoney Acres, we can help you design and plan your spring landscaping projects. By preparing now, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running once the weather warms up.
Final Thoughts
While winter can be harsh on your landscape, proper precautions will help you maintain a healthy yard throughout the cold months. Whether protecting your lawn from the elements, winterizing your irrigation system, or planning for future landscaping projects, investing time now will pay off in the spring.
Need help with winter yard care? Stoney Acres offers professional landscaping, hardscaping, and winterization services to keep your yard in excellent shape. Contact us today for advice and seasonal services or to schedule a consultation for your spring projects.
Following these winter yard care tips ensures your lawn and landscape are well-protected, healthy, and ready for the warmer months ahead. Let’s keep your yard beautiful and thriving, no matter the season.