As the vibrant colors of fall begin to fade and the chill winter air starts to make an appearance, it’s essential to prep your landscape for the colder months ahead.

Winterizing your landscape not only protects your plants but also enhances the beauty of your property during the shorter, drearier days of the year.

With that in mind, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get your Nashville landscape ready for the winter season.

1. Assess Your Landscape

Before getting into any preparations, take a walk around your property. Look around for any plants that may need extra TLC. Pay close attention to the health of your trees, shrubs, and perennials. Identify any areas that might be vulnerable to harsh winter conditions, like wind, ice, and snow.

2. Clean Up Your Garden

Cleaning up your garden is the first step in winterizing your landscape. Remove any dead or decaying plant matter, including leaves, stems, and weeds. This not only enhances the appearance of your garden but also prevents any pests and diseases from making your yard home during the winter season.

Cleanup Tasks:

  • Rake Leaves: Remove leaves from grassy areas. Leaving a layer of leaves can restrict the amount of light that reaches the lawn and trap water near the roots.
  • Trim Perennials: Cut back any perennials that have fully bloomed. Pruning helps maintain the shape and health of your plants, ensuring they grow back even stronger in the spring.
  • Weed Control: Remove any weeds to prevent them going seeding and multiplying once spring comes around.

3. Prepare Your Lawn

Your lawn needs a bit of special attention before the ground sees the first freeze. Aeration and overseeding can help prepare it for the coming winter and promote a healthy resurgence in spring.

Lawn Care Tasks:

  • Aerate: Aeration helps improve drainage and allows nutrients to penetrate the soil.
  • Overseed: If your lawn is thin or patchy, overseeding with a cool-season grass mix can help it thrive in the spring.
  • Fertilize: Apply a winter fertilizer to provide your lawn with essential nutrients. Look for a slow-release fertilizer that will feed your grass over the winter months.

4. Protect Your Plants

Certain plants require extra protection as temperatures drop. This is particularly true for tender perennials and newly planted trees and shrubs.

Plant Protection:

  • Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of plants to insulate their roots from the cold.
  • Wrap Young Trees: Use burlap or tree wrap to protect young trees from harsh winds and frost.
  • Cover Tender Plants: For particularly sensitive plants, consider using frost cloths or garden blankets to shield them from freezing temperatures.

5. Winterize Irrigation Systems

If your landscaping has an irrigation system in place, it’s crucial to winterize it to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.

Irrigation Checklist:

  • Drain Your System: Shut off the main water supply and drain the system completely. This prevents water from getting caught in your pipes, freezing over, and bursting—not an ideal gift for the holidays!
  • Insulate Exposed Pipes: Wrap any exposed pipes with insulation to add an extra layer of protection against the cold.

6. Plan for the Extreme

Now you may be thinking, “Wait a minute, Nashville doesn’t typically get heavy snowfall.” And you’re right! However, it’s better to prepare for the elements in the chance Middle Tennessee gets hit by extreme weather. Especially since the heavy rainfall we see each winter leads to icy conditions more easily. With that in mind, consider how snow and ice can impact your landscape.

Snow and Ice Tips:

  • Remove Debris: Clear away any debris or garden decor that could be damaged by snow.
  • Shovel Pathways: Keep pathways and driveways clear of snow to prevent ice buildup and ensure safety.
  • Keep Salt Stocked Up: Getting to your car in the morning or walking to your front door is going to be a challenge if the walkways/driveway are covered in ice. Having salt on hand is recommended to keep your walkways clear.

7. Maintain Your Landscape Equipment

You can’t maintain your home’s landscaping without the right equipment! Don’t forget to take care of your gardening tools and equipment before the winter months.

Maintenance Checklist:

  • Clean Tools: Remove dirt and debris from tools and sharpen blades.
  • Store Equipment: Store any power equipment indoors to prevent rust and damage from freezing temperatures.
  • Check Batteries: For battery-operated tools, ensure batteries are charged and stored according to manufacturer guidelines.

Need Help? Greathouse Has You Covered

Winterizing your landscape is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy, vibrant yard year-round. And being a professional, full-service Nashville landscape company means we’re also experts at knowing how to care for landscaping all year round.

By using this guide, your landscaping will not only survive the winter but also thrive when the warmer weather returns, bringing renewed beauty to your outdoor space.

And if you need help maintaining your property’s landscaping, we’d love to hear from you. Click the link below to schedule a free consultation with the Greathouse Company.