Are you ready for winter? Is your landscape?
We all know that come fall,we should check our anti-freeze, tune up the furnace and blow out the sprinkler system, but how about your lawn and landscaping? Give yourself a head start on a beautiful spring landscape by taking care of a few fall chores.
Aerate and Seed
Deep-core lawn aeration at the end of summer breaks up compacted soil and lets air, nutrients and moisture get down to the grass’ roots to promote healthy spring growth. Over-seeding after aeration helps fill in bare spots and thickens grass growth come springtime.
Give Your Lawn and Trees a Winter Feeding
A feeding with a fall formula of nutrients and soil conditioners will give your lawn the energy it needs to spring into spring.
Don’t Forget the Trees and Shrubs
Fall is the best time to prune and trim deciduous trees and shrubs. Wait for the leaves to drop, indicating the plants have gone dormant for the winter. It’s also a good time to trim and remove dead branches from evergreens to encourage new spring growth. The cold weather reduces the threat of diseases infecting your plants, too. Fall fertilization encourages root growth and helps alleviate winter stress.
Water in Winter
Every 3-4 weeks, wait for a day when the temperature’s above freezing and give your landscape a good watering. Colorado winters can be very dry, so your plants will thank you when they wake up.
Cut Back Perennials and Mulch Your Beds
Cut the stems of perennials to 2-3 inches above the ground after the first freeze. Add a straw or hay mulch to insulate the soil and help retain moisture. A thin layer of fresh grass clippings and fallen leaves from your last fall mowing will add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes over the winter. Renew the mulch if needed to protect against hard freezes. Don’t pile mulch around the trunks of trees and shrubs to avoid pest infestations. Spread it out in the direction of the drip lines.
Fall is a Good Time to Plant, Too
Planting some trees and shrubs in the fall will give them a head start on spring. And don’t forget to get your bulbs into the ground while the soil is still workable in the fall.
To learn more about what you can do to prepare your lawn, landscaping, trees, shrubs and more, call us at 303-623-8733 and talk with our certified arborists. Contact us today for a free estimate.
