General Winter Landscaping Tips

Winter is a great time to get tasks done in the yard before the growing season comes. Here are a few of our favorite tips and suggestions to take care of in the colder months:

Cut back unwanted kudzu, ivy, or bamboo to the ground, and be ready to spray Roundup on the new growth sprouting in April. This new growth is the most susceptible to the active ingredients of Roundup.
Always be aware of poison ivy. Even in its dormant, leafless state it can still cause rashes.
Water winter seasonal color after a hard freeze. This will re-hydrate them after losing much moisture during the freeze.
Winter is a great time to get your soil tested for deficiencies. Contact us to get your soil testing done, or call the county extension office for your own soil testing kit. This will help determine what nutrients need to be added to have a beautiful, lush lawn.
Remove wire or stakes from trees planted the previous fall.
Make sure you have sufficient mulch (or pine straw) around trees, shrubs, and plants for added protection from the winter. Mulching is important for erosion, water loss, and maintaining soil temperature around the roots.
Give houseplants a half a turn every month or so for even growth.
Check indoor plants for insects. Spray insecticidal soap on underside of foliage if insects are present.
Now that the leaves are gone out of our trees, it is easier to spot damaged or unwanted branches. Remove these for a healthier, stronger tree come spring.
Outdoor lighting can look especially beautiful in the winter. Consider subtle tones to bring warmth to the winter landscaping.
LATE WINTER: Prune clumps of ornamental grasses down to about 12 inches. Put on your gloves, and pull out the dead stems once cut.
LATE WINTER: You can also cut back liriope or mondo grass at this point. Raise your mower cut height to the highest level and take it over the groundcover. This will remove any tattered blades and flush back out nice and green in the spring.
LATE WINTER: Hard prune any overgrown holly shrubs. They will flush back out in spring at a more desirable height. You want to try to leave as little time as possible between the fresh cutting and the new growth emerging, so do this in late winter after the last frost.