Your yard is an extension of your home — a place for your family to relax, play, and simply enjoy being outdoors. After nine years with the Columbia Parks Department, John Relles founded The Gardener to help Columbia, MO, homeowners turn their landscape dreams into reality. From serene water gardens to patios perfect for entertaining, The Gardener's team of landscaping contractors strive to make every yard a slice of paradise. The Gardener specializes in landscaping with plants, trees, and shrubs that are native to the area, making gardening year-round a breeze.

Winter can be harsh on even the hardiest of plants, but some simple preparation will help protect your landscaping until spring returns. One of the most important steps you can take is to clear your lawn. Debris such as leaves, overgrown grass, and weeds can compress your lawn and prevent water and nutrients from reaching the roots. Once your lawn is clear, remember to check the pH level of your soil to ensure that your grass and plants have a healthy foundation. Additionally, be sure to aerate your lawn to maximize nutrient absorption while the grass is still exposed to sunlight and fresh air. You may want to fertilize at this time to keep your grass strong and healthy in winter's stressful conditions.

To protect flower beds, shrubs, and ornamental trees, add a new layer of mulch to help regulate soil temperature and moisture. A layer of burlap will create a buffer between the aboveground plants and freezing conditions. Some small plants, like herbs and new bulbs, will have a better chance of surviving the winter if they are transferred to small pots and moved indoors. If you move plants indoors, remember to use potting soil and pay close attention to the watering and fertilizing instructions printed on the package so as not to drown or overfeed the plants.

While you are preparing your lawn and garden for winter weather, it is important to take care of your sprinklers and trees. In-ground irrigation systems require some preparation before winter comes to prevent costly frost-related damage. Make sure that all water has been drained and that the system has been completely turned off. When it comes to maintaining your trees, skip the seasonal pruning if possible. Although pruning is vital to promoting new growth, you don’t want to encourage growth that will not survive the winter. The only limbs that should be removed are those that could be damaged under the weight of snow and ice.

For more information on how to create the yard of your dreams, visit The Gardener online to see samples of water features, flowers, decorative walkways, and much more. Call (573) 446-0802 to schedule a consultation and receive a free no-obligation quote.