8 Winter Landscaping Tips

Winter is a challenging time of the year for your yard. The dry, cool weather is not one of the best seasons to work in your garden. But don't give up. In this post, we share eight winter landscaping tips that will help you keep your yard look great throughout the year.
#1. Know Your Plant Hardiness ZonePerhaps the most critical winter landscaping tip is to know your plant hardiness zone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture shares a climatic map that allows you to choose the plants that best grow within your zone. Find out more about your plant hardiness zone here.
#2: Keep Your Plants HydratedMany homeowners assume that your plants don’t need water when the weather gets cold. That’s a mistake because a plant always needs water regardless of the season. Make sure to water your plants regularly throughout the winter season.
#3. Don’t Forget to RakeWhile you may always rake during the fall, it’s always a good idea to continue to rake your lawns and gardens during the winter season as well. By regularly raking your lawn, you can get rid of the plant debris that builds up and may also accumulate with snow as well.
#4. Fertilize Your LawnAs your plant needs water, they also need fertilizer throughout the winter season. Make sure to fertilize your lawn with a fertilizer rich in phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium and put it in the ground before the first freeze of the season. You may not see the results during the winter season, but you can definitely enjoy the greens during the spring season that follows.
#5. Mulch Your Garden and Tree BedsMany homeowners do not know that mulch is an excellent insulator. It helps protect your tree roots against frost. And if you don't want to spend on mulch or are looking for organic mulch, try storing the dry leaves you raked up in the fall and use them as mulch by the winter.
#6. Keep Grass ShortAnother winter landscaping tip that can help you maintain your yard during the winter season is to keep the grass short. When you keep the grass shorter (between 1 and 2 inches), you reduce the risk of snow mold frostbite. Moreover, shorter grass also prevents the risk of mice digging a nest in the grass as winter approaches.
#7. Plant Winter Trees and FlowersWith the USDA plant hardiness map information, find out plants and trees that can thrive in the winter season according to your zone.
#8. Prune TreesLast on the list of winter landscaping tips is pruning your trees. When most trees' leaves are gone during the winter season, you can easily spot the damaged branches and trim them for a healthier and stronger tree in the coming spring.
For more tips on winter landscaping, get in touch with Red Mountain Landscaping.We are a full-service landscape design and maintenance company that can handle all your landscaping needs. Call now at 480-373-9312 or request a free estimate here.