Winter is a crucial period for garden and landscape maintenance to ensure a healthy and beautiful growing season in the spring. As the last leaves of autumn are cleared away, gardeners should turn their attention to preparing their plants for the colder months. Here’s an expanded guide to winter landscape cleanup:

Pruning and Cutting Back:

Winter is an ideal time to prune perennials, ornamental grasses, and many deciduous shrubs. This helps to prevent diseases and pests from overwintering in the dead foliage and gives new growth room to thrive in the spring. When cutting back perennials, leave about 2-3 inches of the stem to protect the plant’s crown. Cut ornamental grasses back to about 4-6 inches from ground level.

Fertilization:

It’s essential to give your trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses the nutrients they need to survive the cold and prepare for the growth spurt in spring. If you did not fertilize in the fall, applying a balanced organic fertilizer like Espoma’s Holly-tone for acid-loving plants, Plant-tone for general use, or Tree-tone for trees and shrubs can provide a slow release of nutrients that will enrich the soil throughout winter.

Mulching:

A fresh layer of hardwood mulch serves multiple purposes. It insulates plant roots from freezing temperatures, retains moisture in the soil, and suppresses winter weed growth. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base of plants, taking care not to pile it against the stems or trunks to prevent rot.

Weed Prevention:

To save time and effort come spring, it’s wise to tackle weeds before they start. Preen or a similar pre-emergent herbicide can be added to your mulched areas to prevent the germination of winter weeds. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application to ensure the best results.

By taking these steps during the winter months, you protect your landscape and set the stage for a lush, vibrant garden when the warmer weather returns. Proper winter care is the foundation of a beautiful year-round garden.