If you think it is too early to start thinking about winterizing your yard, you are wrong. This is the perfect time of year to start preparing your yard and landscape elements for the long, cold winter. Taking the following proactive steps now, before the cold weather comes, will save you time and frustration when the spring comes and you are ready to be outside again. Learn more about preparing your lawn for winter below.
Aerate
Aerating the lawn in late fall is a great idea. Although the grass is dormant in the winter, it still needs air and nutrients to reach it, so it comes back strong and vibrant in the spring. Aerating in the fall will break up compacted soil and allow more water and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass.
Seed
The best time to spread grass seed is after your lawn has been aerated. This process will give the seeds ample time to take root and cover up bare spots that have developed throughout the summer and fall. Seeding the lawn also helps the lawn be less susceptible to disease since a variety of grass types are encouraged to grow. Be sure to overseed the lawn so the grass will be thick and lush in the spring.
Fertilize
Fertilizing your lawn in the fall will kill perennial weeds and have the lawn looking fresh and healthy when spring comes. Do not forget to fertilize your trees, too. Trees and shrubs are still growing at this time of year, and fertilizing will increase the productivity of the soil.
Mulch
Fall is the perfect time of year to spread mulch. It helps to protect roots from the bitter cold weather that comes in winter. Mulch also keeps roots protected from damaging frost while it helps them retain the moisture they need to stay alive until the spring. Houselogic.com suggests avoiding free mulch that comes from municipal piles. It can contain remnants of diseased trees. The diseased spores can easily spread to elements of your garden and wreak havoc that is costly to eradicate.
Trim
Now that the summer blooms are gone, it is time to trim back dead and overgrown trees and flowers. Make sure you trim far enough back to remove what is dead or overgrown, but do not overdo it. Do your best to keep the branches and stalks that will produce new leaves and flowers when spring returns.
Winterize the sprinkler system
Winterizing the watering system is an important step that many homeowners neglect to take. If you let water remain in the system, it is likely to expand and cause you to invest in costly repairs.
Protect vulnerable elements
There are most certainly parts of your landscape that are vulnerable to cold weather, particularly if you live in an area that is prone to bitterly cold temperatures and large amounts of snow. Take time in the late fall to protect vulnerable trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers from the dangerous winter. Cover larger items in heavy burlap. Protective fencing can also shield plants and flowers that are close to walkways and hard to cover.
Create a compost pile
If you are wondering what to do with the pile of leaves you just created, consider starting a compost pile with it. Gardening in the fall creates lots of yard waste. Instead of letting it sit on the lawn, turn it into something useful. Start compiling organic materials from your yard such as the leaves and branches. You can even add some fruit that has fallen from your trees. Instructions on creating effective mulch can be found by clicking here. Laying down mulch in the fall will provide a good layer of insulation that will help to protect your landscape elements throughout the cold winter.
Winterize your lawn furniture
While you are busy getting your yard ready for winter, do not forget about taking care of your outdoor furniture. Although wicker and other types of outdoor furniture are sturdy, spending a long and cold winter outside can cause irreparable damage to it. It can be frustrating to expect to use your outdoor furniture as soon as the first signs of spring appear only to find that your good patio furniture has been rendered unusable by Mother Nature. If you have an abundance of indoor space, bring it inside and keep it out of the cold weather elements. If you are not fortunate enough to have enough space indoors, in your garage, or in a storage shed, keep your outdoor furniture protected with a large tarp or some other protective barrier that will keep the elements from harming your furniture.
Taking some time in the fall to prepare your landscape elements and patio furniture for the cold weather will give you a huge payoff when the nice weather returns. Be proactive now and enjoy the fruits of your labor as soon as the birds start chirping in spring from the comfort of your well-cared-for wicker furniture from Design Furnishings.
If you would like more information on preparing a lawn for winter and winterizing your yard, visit our website and speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff and Design Furnishings today.