Hey Baby It's Cold Out There...

Winter's Chill

Brrr...Winter is truly here!  And sometimes it seems that there is not much going on out in our gardens. The leaves are gone; the grass is brown and we are huddled inside where it’s warm. However, looks can be deceiving. 

Under the sleepy brown cover of our lawns are roots that still need care. The dry winds of winter can be as withering as a hot summer day. A little attention to the health of your lawn in the winter can help strengthen it for a lovely spring and the test of summer. As a rule, one inch of water per week is a healthy watering regime. Just keep track of the rainfall and then supplement it with watering only when necessary. One sure way to know if your lawn needs watering is to test the softness of the soil. Use a stake or screwdriver to push into the ground. If the ground is getting dry, then it will be a little difficult to press through and you will know that it definitely time to water! 

Just as in the summer months, water your lawn and gardens in the early morning. This gives the sun time to do its job of drying the grass and plants so that you can avoid the growth of fungus. Remember that winter days are short. So early morning watering is most important during this time. 

Don’t forget your container plants. Unprotected container and garden plants are vulnerable to those drying winds as well. You can cover them with fabric on days that are particularly brutal. Never use plastic. The condensation at night can cause the vegetation to freeze and during the day, the radiant heat of the sun can burn them. 

Watch for more winter lawn and garden tips. If you need any help, just give us a call!