Our friends at Scotts Miracle-Gro offer the following tips on care and maintenance of your yard, even during winter months…
With winter’s arrival, many homeowners are putting away their lawnmower and gardening tools and getting ready to relax for the cold months ahead – but think again. There are still a few things homeowners can do during the winter that will help ensure a beautiful green lawn and garden once spring arrives.
“Basic lawn care and tree pruning during the winter will save consumers extra trips to the hardware store, time and money down the road,” said Ashton Ritchie, lawn and garden expert for Scotts Miracle-Gro. “The winter is the perfect season to plan for the spring.”
Recommended landscaping tips include:
Winter Lawn
–Mow your lawn 1-2” shorter than you have the rest of the season to help reduce the chance of snow mold.
–Mulch leaves in your lawn down to dime-sized pieces with your lawn mower and pick up heavy branches, toys and outdoor furniture to ensure that grass receives sunlight, nutrients and water.
–Clean up dead plants and other debris from garden beds and mulch your garden area in the fall or early winter to help insulate the soil, protect tender plants and conserve water.
Tree Pruning
–Remove broken or decaying branches to increase light and air in the crown of the tree. This will help ensure a strong and healthy tree in the spring.
–Pruning helps protect against storm damage and falling limbs, particularly a concern for trees along pedestrian paths, driveways, and surrounding buildings.
–Best time to prune is when the weather is dry and mild and after trees have shed most of their leaves.
Indoor Gardening
–Use fresh potting soil, as it is much better suited for indoor gardening than soil from your backyard.
–Don’t forget to label containers when starting seeds indoors and be ready to move them into lighted areas once seedlings appear to get the most out of your seeds.
–Allow soil to dry between watering and be wary of yellow leaves as a signal that your plants may need less water.
–Position grown plants carefully near windows – the sun is lower in the sky during the winter and some plants may wither if they face too much sunlight, so move accordingly to find the right balance.
The National Gardening Association estimates that U.S. households annually spend roughly $29.5 billion on their lawns and gardens, an average of about $347 per household. Preparing your lawn and garden for winter is one of the best ways to ensure your springtime lawn care is both manageable and affordable. There’s nothing like personal attention from a trusted expert to quickly answer any of your lawn and garden questions. Visit our Help Center to send us a note or speak with an expert by calling 1-888-270-3714.
