ant to check.

4. If you have newly installed plant material, especially evergreens, make sure you water very deeply before the ground freezes so the leaves do not dry out. If these evergreens are in an area where they are going to be hit by cold winter winds, you will want to build a barrier out of burlap to partially block these winds and protect the plants until spring. Otherwise the winds will dry out the leaves and the plant may defoliate.

5. Cut your turf grass down to 3

1. Turn off water to all outside faucets, open outside knob to drain any water left in line, then close again. Prevents freezing and breaking of water lines. Protect your hoses by draining all the water from inside. This prevents premature wear of the hose from freezing and thawing. Store all hoses inside during the winter months.

2. If you have ornamental grasses in your garden, they can still give some ornamental value to your landscape even though they have turned brown. The only problem is they become messy and clutter the area around them with little strands of brown leaves and also become a leaf trap. To alleviate this issue, simply cut the grasses in half. Use pruners, hand saw or gas powered shears if handy to remove all unwanted grass. (Caution: Always know where yours or your partners hands are when using gas shears to cut the grass. Always wear gloves to prevent the grass from cutting your hands). This will leave some value to the landscape and eliminate the mess. In the spring, simply cut the grass the rest of the way, 4”-6” above ground and the plant will come back with no problem. Do not cut grasses flush with the ground, you may cut into the crown and damage the plant. Always leave 4”-6” above ground.

3. All leaves should have fallen from the trees by now. It is important to clean them from grass and out of your beds. Diseases from last year’s growth are left on the dead leaves that are lying on the ground below your plants. If not cleaned up, they will re-infect the plant again the following spring when the weather turns warm ad you will be dealing with the same issues. Clean those leaves. If possible, check your gutters to make sure they are clean and running free. Clogged gutters will block the water from flowing freely from the roof and fill your rains spouts. Temperatures are now below freezing. Frozen water in your gutters will become heavy and possibly push the gutter away from the roof line causing bigger problems. Very important to check.

4. If you have newly installed plant material, especially evergreens, make sure you water very deeply before the ground freezes so the leaves do not dry out. If these evergreens are in an area where they are going to be hit by cold winter winds, you will want to build a barrier out of burlap to partially block these winds and protect the plants until spring. Otherwise the winds will dry out the leaves and the plant may defoliate.

5. Cut your turf grass down to 3”

oblem is they become messy and clutter the area around them with little strands of brown leaves and also become a leaf trap. To alleviate this issue, simply cut the grasses in half. Use pruners, hand saw or gas powered shears if handy to remove all unwanted grass. (Caution: Always know where yours or your partners hands are when using gas shears to cut the grass. Always wear gloves to prevent the grass from cutting your hands). This will leave some value to the landscape and eliminate the mess. In the spring, simply cut the grass the rest of the way, 4”-6” above ground and the plant will come back with no problem. Do not cut grasses flush with the ground, you may cut into the crown and damage the plant. Always leave 4”-6” above ground.

3. All leaves should have fallen from the trees by now. It is important to clean them from grass and out of your beds. Diseases from last year’s growth are left on the dead leaves that are lying on the ground below your plants. If not cleaned up, they will re-infect the plant again the following spring when the weather turns warm ad you will be dealing with the same issues. Clean those leaves. If possible, check your gutters to make sure they are clean and running free. Clogged gutters will block the water from flowing freely from the roof and fill your rains spouts. Temperatures are now below freezing. Frozen water in your gutters will become heavy and possibly push the gutter away from the roof line causing bigger problems. Very important to check.

4. If you have newly installed plant material, especially evergreens, make sure you water very deeply before the ground freezes so the leaves do not dry out. If these evergreens are in an area where they are going to be hit by cold winter winds, you will want to build a barrier out of burlap to partially block these winds and protect the plants until spring. Otherwise the winds will dry out the leaves and the plant may defoliate.

5. Cut your turf grass down to 3

n the spring, simply cut the grass the rest of the way, 4”-6” above ground and the plant will come back with no problem. Do not cut grasses flush with the ground, you may cut into the crown and damage the plant. Always leave 4”-6” above ground.

3. All leaves should have fallen from the trees by now. It is important to clean them from grass and out of your beds. Diseases from last year’s growth are left on the dead leaves that are lying on the ground below your plants. If not cleaned up, they will re-infect the plant again the following spring when the weather turns warm ad you will be dealing with the same issues. Clean those leaves. If possible, check your gutters to make sure they are clean and running free. Clogged gutters will block the water from flowing freely from the roof and fill your rains spouts. Temperatures are now below freezing. Frozen water in your gutters will become heavy and possibly push the gutter away from the roof line causing bigger problems. Very important to check.

4. If you have newly installed plant material, especially evergreens, make sure you water very deeply before the ground freezes so the leaves do not dry out. If these evergreens are in an area where they are going to be hit by cold winter winds, you will want to build a barrier out of burlap to partially block these winds and protect the plants until spring. Otherwise the winds will dry out the leaves and the plant may defoliate.

5. Cut your turf grass down to 3

they will re-infect the plant again the following spring when the weather turns warm ad you will be dealing with the same issues. Clean those leaves. If possible, check your gutters to make sure they are clean and running free. Clogged gutters will block the water from flowing freely from the roof and fill your rains spouts. Temperatures are now below freezing. Frozen water in your gutters will become heavy and possibly push the gutter away from the roof line causing bigger problems. Very important to check.

4. If you have newly installed plant material, especially evergreens, make sure you water very deeply before the ground freezes so the leaves do not dry out. If these evergreens are in an area where they are going to be hit by cold winter winds, you will want to build a barrier out of burlap to partially block these winds and protect the plants until spring. Otherwise the winds will dry out the leaves and the plant may defoliate.

5. Cut your turf grass down to 3

ant to check.

4. If you have newly installed plant material, especially evergreens, make sure you water very deeply before the ground freezes so the leaves do not dry out. If these evergreens are in an area where they are going to be hit by cold winter winds, you will want to build a barrier out of burlap to partially block these winds and protect the plants until spring. Otherwise the winds will dry out the leaves and the plant may defoliate.

5. Cut your turf grass down to 3” on your last mow. This will give your property a cleaner better look through the winter months and makes leaf cleanup a lot easier. Make sure the blades on the mower are sharp. The last mow will keep your lawn looking professional and having sharp blades will guarantee that the tips of the grass blades will be cut clean and not torn. Torn grass blade tips turn brown and give the overall impression of brown grass instead of green.

6. If you are going to put Christmas lights on your trees, sometimes it is hard to string the lines through all of the branches inside the tree. Before you put up the lights, it is ok to cut out some of the crossing branches inside the tree to open up the interior and make the job easier. Use outside extension cords only. Remember when you put up or take down the lights on your shrubs or trees, the branches may be frozen and very brittle. Be careful and take your time, you don’t want to break any branches.

7. If you are going to put spring bulbs in your garden, take the time to design on paper how you want your garden to look in the spring. Planning will make the installation easier and assure that your hard work has the desired effect. Plan on getting bulbs in the ground before it freezes or your job will be much harder. The time is now.

8. In most gardens, there is not a lot to look at now. Plants like Winterberry hollies, Red and Yellow twig dogwoods, Crabapple and Hawthorn trees with their vibrant berry displays and bark color, add interest to your landscape and really keep things going well into the winter. Look at your garden now and identify where some of these plants can be added next spring to bring interest and color into your garden 12 months of the year.

Have a great holiday and keep thinking spring.