Preparing For Winter

The growing season is over! Now, it's time to cleanup for the winter. 

You may have many questions about your yard and your plants right now. What can be done now? Am i too late to trim? Do I need to wait until spring?

Hopefully these tips give you some peace of mind and can help keep you moving in your yard!

Time to Trim

Perennials:

Many Perennials, such as Coneflowers and Rudbeckia, can be left to cut back in the spring. Many birds will love the seeds throughout the winter. Other perennials, such as Beebalm, Phlox and Hosta's need to be cut down now to avoid spreading any diseases, such as powdery mildew, which is common on many perennials. 

When cutting back perennials, leave about 3 inches of stem and then mulch around the base with bark mulch, pine straw or regular straw. This will add an extra layer of insulation throughout the winter. 

Trees and Shrubs:

If you did not trim your trees and shrubs in the fall, it is best to hold off on pruning until the spring. When you prune, it removes the tissue and opens "wounds" without time to heal before the cold arrives. Pruning also helps plants to grow, but any new growth produced in the winter will likely be killed because it would not have time to harden or become woodier before the cold comes.

Garden Maintenance 

It is a great time to work on your general garden cleanup. 

• If you have not already, turn off your water supply off and unhook your hoses. 
• Consider your "Garden Helpers." Birds need some extra love during the winter. 
• Empty your garden containers/planters to avoid cracking throughout the winter. Store them upside down when possible.
• Mow your grass as late into the fall as you can. If the grass is left too long when it snows, it can cause brown patches in the spring. 
• Scrub down and clean your garden tools. Store them in a dry place for the winter.