With winter rapidly approaching, It's time to get prepared

Now is the time to get ready for the cold months ahead. You want to ensure that your beautiful lawn and landscape are prepared to weather any storm. Here in Texas, winter doesn’t often mean months of snow and ice, but that doesn’t mean your yard doesn’t need a little extra love and care to keep it thriving through the colder months.  It's a process to make sure everything is prepared and ready! Your best bet is to call me to add you to our schedule. We have a team of professionals working right now to get everything in order for the cold season.  Here are a few things you need to know when winterizing your lawn and landscape.  Don't hesitate to call me at (432) 934-1104 for any questions. We'll happily have our team come out to give you a free estimate. 

Prune and trim: Trim back any dead or overgrown branches on trees and shrubs. This will not only improve the overall appearance of your yard but also help prevent damage from falling branches during winter storms. 

Remove debris: Clear any leaves, weeds, or other debris from your yard. This will help prevent mold and pests from taking refuge in the yard during the winter. 

Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch to your flowerbeds and around the base of trees and shrubs. Mulch helps to insulate the soil and retain moisture, protecting plant roots from freezing temperatures. 

Watering: While our area's winters are relatively mild, keeping your plants well-hydrated is still essential. Make sure your plants receive adequate water, especially during dry spells, and avoid overwatering. Check your irrigation system.  It is essential that you set it to "winter mode." We are happy to help with this.  Irrigation in winter can be tricky, so we want to ensure that everything is set correctly. Be sure and make certain your irrigation system is properly drained. Freezing temperatures can easily burst pipes. 

Fertilize: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to your lawn and plants in the late fall. This will provide essential nutrients for your plants during the winter months. 

Cover sensitive plants: If you have delicate or tropical plants, consider covering them with frost cloth or burlap on particularly cold nights to protect them from freezing temperatures. 

Mind your lawn:  You should cut your grass to different heights depending on the time of year. Winter lawn care in our area should include adjusting the mower to cut grass 1 inch shorter so it is 2 inches tall for the last major lawn cut of the season, whether your lawn is Bermudagrass, St. Augustine grass, or Zoysia grass. Cutting to this height allows the roots of the grass to get more sunlight, which is weaker in the winter months. Pay close attention. Mowing your yard too short can stress your grass out, often to the point where it begins to die. Be diligent about the height setting of the mower used in your yard. You'll still need to mow regularly to ensure a lush lawn when the weather changes. 

Watch for weeds:  The most crucial weed prevention applications happen during your lawns' “off-season.” Apply a pre-emergent and current weed control application to minimize winter weeds in the fall, and you should use a second application in December. Most people don’t realize that the influx of weeds you often see in the spring and summer starts in the fall. Properly treating your yard in autumn allows you to plant flowers and enjoy your yard in the spring instead of fighting weeds.  It’s also essential to fill in bald patches in your yard in the winter so that those spots can flourish come the warmer months. Do not rake or remove the thatch; this can damage the living crown of the turf. A fall application of fertilizer and new seed in the area should allow fresh grass to grow and fill in the thatch. 

At Lawn and Tree Tech, we are working year-round to prepare for the next season. We stay one step ahead for our customers to ensure they have a beautiful year-round landscape. Maintaining a beautiful outdoor space is a year-round multi-stepped process. Contact us today for a free consultation! (432) 934-1104