Gardening enthusiasts and outdoor space caretakers in San Antonio understand the joy of nurturing their landscapes. But as winter approaches, the once lush green lawns and vibrant flowering plants face the harsh realities of the colder months. The challenge? Protecting and preserving your landscape through winter’s tough conditions.

Understanding Nature, Adapting to Winter

Trees naturally shed their leaves in winter, but your landscape needn’t look barren. By taking proactive steps, you can minimize winter’s impact on your plants, safeguarding them against low temperatures, snow, and wind. Here are expert tips from DNS Landscaping to keep your green spaces thriving.

Pre-Winter Lawn Prep: Setting the Stage for Spring

• Debris Clearance: Begin by removing debris. Raking leaves and tidying up prepares the ground for new grass growth.
• Lawn Mowing: During the growing season, keep grass at 3 to 3.5 inches, trimming it down to 2 to 2.5 inches as winter nears. This encourages new growth and deters pests.
• Aeration and Fertilization: Before the first freeze, aerate and fertilize your lawn. This allows the new grass to absorb nutrients, ready to sprout when the snow melts.

Trees and Shrubs: Winter Shielding

• Mulching Magic: A 2-inch layer of mulch can significantly protect soil from erosion, retain moisture, and maintain soil temperature, especially around root areas.
• Pruning Practices: Late winter is ideal for pruning, minimizing the time fresh cuts are exposed before spring growth.
• Water Loss Woes: In winter, plants, especially evergreens, face dehydration. Antidesiccant sprays and burlap wraps can reduce water loss and protect against salt spray and wind.

Safeguarding Plants Against Snow and Ice

• Branch Support: Tie branches together to help them bear the weight of snow. For lower, untieable branches, gently brush off the snow.
• Prudent Pruning: Remove delicate branches prone to breaking under snow weight, preventing damage and disease.
• Salt Damage Solutions: Excessive salt from snow management harms plant roots. Flush the soil with water to mitigate salt accumulation.

For further information or personalized advice, contact DNS Landscaping at (210) 765-8667. Alternatively, use our Contact Us form to get in touch via email. Let’s keep your landscape vibrant, even in winter!