Preparing your garden for winter is a critical step in
keeping it strong and healthy year after year. A lot of time and energy goes
into your property year after year so these quick steps will protect that
investment and improve the curb appeal of your home. Read below for tips to
help your lawns best friend stay just as healthy so they can grow old together.
Pruning your Perennials Back
Before the first frost occurs, you’ll want to prune back
your perennials. This allows for them to conserve their energy efficiently over
the winter months and growing back stronger and stronger each year. Firstly,
you’ll want to ensure that your pruning shears or clippers are sharp. This allows
for a clean cut to help the plant recover quickly. Depending on the plant, you’ll
want to leave approximately 4-5 inches of foliage above the soil. If you end up
trimming too short, it could affect the resiliency of the plant long-term. A
bonus to trimming back your perennials is that it is great compost fuel for a
rich mixture to cultivate for next springs planting.
Wrap your Shrubs and Small Trees in Burlap
While this step isn’t necessarily a requirement, a
particularly harsh winter can cause a significant amount of damage to trees and
shrubs. This step adds a layer of protection to help your garden thrive after
each season. It is recommended that the younger the plant requires more love
and care to establish its root system. By wrapping these plants early helps
protect your investment and the provide a safe, breathable protection for the tree
or shrub. This handy tip also helps protect the plant from the sun. The sun may
not be providing a significant amount of heat, it still is possible to cause a
sun burn so the burlap acts as a protective cover while it is in dormancy.
Final Raking of the Year
Depending on how many leaves are still left on the lawn before
the first snowfall, apply a layer of those leaves to the garden beds to help
insulate over the winter months. It provides a habitat for butterflies, bees
and other beneficial insects to create their winter homes free from predators
or disruption. This also creates a nutrient source for the soil as well as
protects the root system of existing plants within the garden. It’s always good
to replenish the natural life within the existing soil each year to create
strong and resilient plants that are not just beautiful but require limited maintenance.
Bonus Tip!
Don’t forget to turn off your outside water from inside your
house. this reduces the risk of the pipes bursting and your basement flooding. No
one wants to deal with this… ever… Happy Winter Everyone!
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