Although homeowners typically associate landscaping with the warmest months of the year, outdoor spaces need attention during late winter, too. Taking a few proactive steps when it’s cold outside will ensure your yard is ready for a vibrant spring. Here are a few tips for late winter gardening.

How to Take Care of Your Landscape in Late Winter

1. Remove Protective Winter Mulches

Applying fresh mulch before winter helps protect the health of perennials and shrubs. It locks in moisture and prevents roots from frosting and freezing over. During the last weeks of the winter season, however, you can remove mulch. Exposing soil will reduce the risk of mold formation. When the ground starts to thaw, you don’t want to trap moisture at surface levels or smother early perennials.

After flowers and greenery emerge in spring, you can add fresh mulch for weed control and restore your landscape’s clean, distinctive appearance.

2. Get Ready for Spring Cleanup

In late winter, prepare your landscape for the warmer months ahead. Get a jump on spring cleanup by reducing accumulations of debris and clutter. Remove twigs, leaves, and other organic refuse littering your flowerbeds and pathways. Edge beds with a steel-bladed edger so they look their best as blossoms begin to bloom. By removing a swath of grass around them, you’ll keep grass from growing in your beds.

3. Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Timing is critical for effectively preventing weeds. Applying herbicides at the wrong time may allow seeds to germinate. To avoid a landscape overgrown with unwanted weeds, apply a pre-emergent as ground temperatures rise to 50 degrees and stay above that temperature for at least five days. When the ground is the right temperature, the soil can soak up prevention treatments and create a barrier that thwarts germination.

 

Are you seeking a reliable contractor for all of your landscaping needs in Beavercreek, OH? Turn to Hoffman Turf. The company proudly offers a variety of services, including mulching, weed control, tree trimming, lawn mowing, and general maintenance. They’re also on call in winter for snow removal. Visit them online or call (937) 260-9715 to request a free estimate.