Winter Landscaping
Seasonal, Lawn care, TIPS & TRICKSWith all of this rain, it is hard to forget that winter is right around the corner! That means all of your plants are sleeping for the season, and you should focus your attention and energy indoors and not worry about your landscaping. Right?
Not at all!
The first thing to be sure of when entering into the rainy winter season, is to adjust the irrigation settings on your sprinklers to accommodate for the rainfall. Aside from not wanting to overwater your plants, or create wet pools for bugs and bacteria to collect, adjusting your sprinklers is important for water conservation (and wallet conservation!) Make sure you're not wasting water (and money) by sticking to a summertime schedule.
Another thing to take care of during the winter months is the aeration of your lawn. While it might seem counterintuitive to be out there aerating your grass in December, that is actually the perfect time to do it. While you can aerate in the Spring or Summer, you risk the soil drying out in the heat and sun. Cooler, rainier winter months are far more optimal!
Then there is the basic task of cleaning out your gutters. Rain usually comes with wind, and wind brings falling leaves, twigs, and other debris that collect all too easily in gutters. One solution is to install a gutter screen that prevents debris from filling the gutter, but even these need to be brushed off on occasion as pine needles can catch in the screen and collect other leaves. So now is a good time to give them a good clean!
Be sure not to prune plants during the Winter, as you could inadvertently encourage new growth by trimming the plants back. And while temperature drops can freeze some plants in the garden, you can use anything from a custom plant wrap to a simple bed sheet to encase the plant and keep it warm. If the sensitive plants are in pots, you might want to bring them indoors until the weather warms up.
On the other hand, there are some plants that prefer the winter months! Everyone knows that December is the month for poinsettias, but did you know they are actually native to California and can be grown in our very own backyard? You don't have to refresh your flowerbed as often as Disneyland, but you can bring in some native winter plants to enjoy a splash of color and holiday cheer!
Looking to enjoy your holidays and not worry about cleaning out your rain gutters or making sure that your grass roots can breathe? That's why we're here! Give us a call for a complimentary consultation and free estimate. Take care of your landscape all year long!