As winter approaches, it's important to take the necessary steps to ensure your garden is ready for the cold season. From mowing your lawn to composting material, there are a few things you can do to keep your garden healthy and thriving. When mowing your lawn, use a machine that releases fertilizer pellets when you pull the handle. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package and be careful not to use too much, as it can burn your lawn.
Buy grass seeds that indicate cold season or cool weather on the package, such as most fescues. You can spray the seed onto the lawn with a spreader and try to spread it evenly so that you don't have any clumps of grass later. The last few times you mow your lawn, lower the height of the lawn mower by one or two notches. Excessively long grass can suffocate, cause illness, and risk damage from freezing and thawing.
However, do not cut the grass so short that it can pull out the scalp, thus exposing the crown of the plant to extreme conditions. To promote a healthy garden, winter is a good time to do a great cleaning. Remove old leaves and debris from all your beds. Compost material if possible, to build quality soil amendments for later use.
If you have a compost pile, check to see if you have material ready to cover your garden. Consider subtle tones to bring warmth to winter gardens, or try lighting walkways and driveways with attractive floor lanterns.In some cases, you may not need to water during the winter, but often, dry periods make it necessary to continue your garden watering routine during the colder months. Having a personalized winter gardening plan for your private property and microclimate can increase the survival rate of your plants, trees, and shrubs. Since your garden isn't dying from the heat and you'll occasionally see a storm to provide some more affordable forms of water, this is truly the time to take care of your garden proactively.When you consider the replacement cost of gardening, you'll see the value of a proactive approach to winterizing your garden.
The Department of Agriculture publishes a climate map that can help you select which plants are best for winter landscaping within your area, as well as which plants will struggle to thrive where you live.Ice is inevitable in winter, but using a salt-based solution to handle it is a surefire way to kill lawns and garden plants. Gutters tend to be out of sight and out of mind, but it's important to keep them in mind during the winter landscaping process. Taking a proactive approach to your landscaping is the best way to thwart Old Man Winter.If you're short on time (or creative landscaping ideas), consider hiring a landscaper in your area. With their skilled hand and fresh vision, they can help make sure your garden is ready for whatever winter throws at it.
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