How to Prepare Your Yard for Winter

Winters in Texas are typically not harsh, but we can experience sleet and freezing rain at times. Preparing your lawn for the harsh weather can help you avoid the need to re-landscape in the spring.

Maintaining and taking care of your yard is a time-consuming task. Consider it Done has experienced lawn care and landscaping technicians if you want some help. While hiring us for the job can make things easier, here’s a few tips for managing it yourself. 

Let’s dig into it.

Applying winter fertilizer to your lawn maintenance can help you have better growth results in the springtime. The best time to use the fertilizer is when your grass stops growing in fall and is green on the top and active below the surface (the roots). Winterizing can help you save your plants from damage and help them to survive. Nitrogen fertilizers are the best option for fertilizing in early winters and can save you from doing excessive work re-landscaping your yard every year.

Moving plants indoors when possible can help with too much moisture or freezing during harsh weather. 

Pruning your trees, here’s a few tips:

• • • Do not prune too early as the incisions you make weeks before winter can dry out the roots and the tree, making its survival difficult.
    • Prune on a mild, dry day as it will also help you minimize water borne plant diseases.
    • Always prune the dried and dead parts of the tree first, and then work your way to the other areas.
    • Increase light and air in the crown by removing the overgrown branches in the tree.
    • Be careful when removing diseased and infected limbs. 
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Watering your plants before colder weather is the best way to ensure their survival in winter. You should try to water your plants a day or two before rain is in the forecast. The water acts as an insulator for the plants and the roots, keeping the cold weather from affecting your yard. The moist soil minimizes the damage, whereas dry soil may freeze quicker. 

Water plants in the morning so they have enough time to absorb the water during the day. Do not water your plants if the temperature falls to 40 degrees or lower.

Consider specific needs and requirements when caring for your yard. Before applying any tips, make sure to research the plants you have in your yard, their characteristics, growth and survival needs, etc., so you can choose the right winterization methods.

Caring for your yard during Texas winters is not difficult but still requires time, maintenance and a little TLC. Contact Consider it Done ATX to inquire about landscaping services to make your lawn care tasks easier. Our Austin landscaping experts can handle all projects, from flower bed cleanup to complete yard restorations. Contact us and request a complimentary bid today!