The first frost will arrive soon. Is your yard ready for winter?There’s more to do than just rake leaves. Next weekend, check these items off your to do list and your garden will thank you in the spring!
- Cut back and weed perennials
- Pull dead or wilting annuals
- Harvest any remaining vegetables, berries or fruits
- Clean up overgrown areas, removing all weeds and debris
- Plant new flowering bulbs
- Plant new trees and shrubs
- Inspect trees and trim any loose branches
- Put fencing around plants that animals might eat
- Shred or mulch leaves for fertilizer
- Cover planting beds with mulch after weeding
- Till the soil to expose insects about to go dormant
- Cover compost pile with straw or plastic
- Test soil for pH and treat as needed
- Empty all outdoor containers to keep from cracking
- Scrub all tools and oil them to keep from rusting
- Clean and sharpen pruners
- Store lawn mower and empty gas tank
And a few last reminders:
- Keep mowing – If your grass is long when snow arrives, it creates brown patches come spring.
- Keep watering – Trees, shrubs and perennials are putting all their energy into their roots. They are not dead; they are dormant. Those roots need water.
Have questions about preparing for a beautiful spring garden? Need help tackling this list? Contact Sal’s Nursery and Landscaping for expert guidance and let the professionals put your yard to bed for winter.