How to Protect Your Lawn and Garden This Winter

The Farmer’s Almanac 2019-2020 winter forecast suggests that the east coast is in for a wet and wild winter season. Before you bundle up for the cold months, make sure your lawn and garden are protected for their winter nap! Here’s some winter lawn care advice from Bohonyi Landscaping founder, John Bohonyi:

Step One: Preparation

Like it or not, the winter months are on their way!  Stay one step ahead of the snow and ice by preparing your lawn and garden before the cold weather strikes.  Start by raking leaves and removing any debris (i.e. fallen sticks, dead plants, etc). Skipping this step will result in potentially killing your grass and perennial plants.  After all of the debris has been removed, give your lawn a trim, leaving the blades of grass between 2 inches and 2.5 inches.

Consult your favorite landscaping company about the aeration and fertilization processes.  Depending on the size of your lawn, this task may be best left up to the pros. Improper aeration and fertilization prior to the season’s first freeze can result in an unhealthy lawn.

Step Two: Protect Your Trees and Shrubs

Start by pruning your plants.  This will help to promote growth and strength of your trees and shrubs.  Then, apply mulch around your trees, plants and shrubs to protect roots from the impending freeze.  This process also helps to prevent erosion and loss of water.

Bonus Tip: Rethink Your Rock Salt Use

Rock salt is a fantastic defense against ice.  However, salt is incredibly aggressive on plant roots and grass.  Just like eating salty foods can make you parched, directing salt near plant roots makes your plants parched as well!  To avoid causing unnecessary salt damage to your property, be sure to get rid of extra salt.  This can be accomplished by flushing your garden’s soil with plenty of water whenever you have the chance. 

Stay tuned for more landscaping and gardening tips, tricks and advice from Bohonyi Landscaping’s founder and owner, John Bohonyi.