How to Tuck Your Landscape In For The Winter In the Mid Atlantic

December in the Mid-Atlantic is our time of year to hang up our green thumbs and break out the warm socks. It’s not tough to look outside at this time and say, nah, not today, it's too darn cold. The weather may be telling our gardens that another season is over, but check this list twice, just to be sure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• lawn mower
• ladder
• leaf rake
• debris tarp
• hand saw, pruners

1. Most activity in the landscape slows down and comes to a screeching halt in December. As an avid gardener , I look forward to my weekends of fiddling with anything in the landscape but surprisingly, at this time of year, it’s not tough at all for me to look outside and say, nah, not today, it's too darn cold.
   
   So let's wrap it up, put all the equipment away and follow these simple tips to make sure you and your garden both sleep well thru the winter.
2. 1.Turn off water to outside faucets. Open outside knob and drain water,
   then close. Prevents freezing of water lines.
   
   2.Protect hoses by draining all water and store inside shed. Prevents
   premature wear thru freezing and thawing.
   
   3.Cut ornamental grasses back by half. Most grasses still add value to
   the landscape in winter. Problem is they collect leaves and become
   messy. Cut in half and clean debris. Leaves nice clean look.
   
   4.Clean all leaves and perennial debris from turf and beds. Diseases
   that affected plants last year will remain on leaves on the ground
   thru winter. They will re-infect again next spring. Mice and insects
   also like to over winter in this debris. Clean it up.
   
   5.Check roof gutters. Make sure they’re clean and running free. Clogged
   gutters cause trouble. Hammer loose gutter nails back in as you clean.
3. 6.Water newly installed plant material, especially evergreens, before
   ground freezes. Prevents drying and defoliation of leaves due to lack
   of moisture and cold winter winds.
   
   7.Cut turf grass down to 3” on last mow. Gives property
   tight, clean look through winter and makes leaf cleanup
   a breeze. Make sure mower blades are sharp.
   
   8.Thin out trees before putting up Christmas lights. Sometimes it’s
   hard to string lights thru branches. It’s ok to cut out some crossing
   branches to open interior and make the job easier. Remember, branches
   may be frozen and brittle, take your time.
   
   9. Plant spring flowering bulbs in November. Take time to design how
   your garden should look in spring. You are then assured bulbs are
   planted properly for a great display.
   
   10.Clean and put away all equipment. Drain or burn off all gas by
   running machines, change oil and grease all pivot points.
   
   
   Stay warm and think spring.
   
   All the best,
   
   Todd
   
   Visit-LandscapeProblemSolver.com

Tips & Warnings

• Get bulbs in the ground in November
• Think safety when cleaning gutters
• be careful when cleaning gutters
• Don't wait until the ground freezes to plant bulbs