Tips of the Month – Home Preparations for the Winter

By KRISTA TURCASSO

You might think getting your lawn and garden ready for winter is a simple process but it can become a lot of work if you aren’t organized ahead of time. While many of us are more focused on new equipment for our recreational pursuits come December, putting energy into your yard now will help your yard shine this spring and summer. With a shorter growing season and few warm summer months, you will appreciate your work and be able to enjoy your yard that much more next year!

1.Feed that lawn! Contrary to popular belief, autumn, not spring, is said to be a vital time for plants in many parts of the country. Cool and wet seasons can allow certain vegetation the opportunity to shine. Fertilizing with a slow-release organic fertilizer is a good idea, and should be done in two applications. The first ideally in mid September, and the second roughly around Thanksgiving (before the ground is frozen). If you missed the opportunity in September, try squeezing two in this October. This will prepare the vegetation for next year. Another quick tip is driving over leaves with a lawn mower to create a fine mulch, as long as it isn’t blanketing the lawn.

2.Repair summer’s damage. Now is a great time to repair a damaged lawn and reseed. Since we are “racing” the cold, try a perennial ryegrass, which germinates quickly (just four to seven days, versus two to three weeks for bluegrass). Help the seeds take root by top-dressing them with around 1/4 inch of compost or soil.

3.Don’t put away the hose. Though we tend to get rain with autumn in our area, it is important to consider that lawns should get an inch of water every 14 to 21 days. The ground should be moist as it heads toward winter, but not soggy, which could encourage mold.

4.Go easy on the pruning. As a general rule, give your loppers and shears the autumn off. Why? Pruning promotes growth, and you don’t want to encourage growth when plants are preparing to go dormant for winter. However, now is a good time to cut off dead wood so insects have no place to hide.

5.Cover that plot. To prep your garden for winter, plant a nitrogen-rich cover crop like clover that you can simply turn under come spring.

6. Transplant away! Autumn is a great time to transplant trees and shrubs as the trees have a longer season for the roots to get established while not being stressed by summer hazards such as the heat. The tree benefits because it’s putting all of its energy into root growth.

7.Mulch. Pulling the mulch away from the trunks of trees a bit makes it less of a home for rodents during the winter. Flower beds don’t need much work, but there are a few things you can do. Clean out the perennials to renew the mulch in flower beds, especially the top two or three inches of plants’ root crowns, because that protects a marginal plant from hard freezes. Hay is a good option but should only be applied when the ground is very cold.

8.Clean the pond, fountain or other water features you may have in the yard. These items are increasingly popular today and they need care to survive the winter. Late September is a good time to clean out the pond. Clean out the leaves and other materials that have gathered in the pond. They can decay and build up nutrients that increase the ammonia levels in the water. If it’s a small pond, you might consider tossing a cover over it from late fall through the winter. Consider using a bacterial additive in the water -- microbes that speed the decomposition of leaf scum, fish waste, etc. It is also a good idea to drain your pond by 25%-50% for the winter months.

9.Check pond equipment. Autumn is a good time to change out your pond gear. In warmer months, pumps are often used to circulate the water. Shut down the pumps and filter and bring the pump inside for the winter. Loosen the fitting on what’s left outdoors, so things won’t crack in the cold.

10.Think spring. Now is the time to plant bulbs for spring. They’re not very expensive, and they give you something to look forward to. Remember the flowers you enjoyed throughout the growing season and purchase what you were happy with to avoid guessing in the spring. Also, make a list of the things that didn’t work well with your yard and garden this past year to prevent making the same mistakes.