Some homeowners believe that winter is the time to leave their property alone. It’s too cold, even for professional landscapers. The ground is frozen, and the trees and the garden are sleeping. But some believe winter is just right for landscaping projects. Professionals will tell you that there are a myriad of things you can do to beautify your landscape. Here is what you can do and what things you must avoid.
What To Do During Winter Landscaping
Winter is actually the best time to do a lot of landscaping work. Here are some tasks that can be done.
Trim and Prune Trees
One of the most positive things you can do is trim and prune some of your trees and shrubs. The fact that deciduous trees have shed their leaves means that arborists can clearly see their bare branches and can easily spot which ones need to be removed. Never attempt to remove tree branches yourself. This task requires proper training, experience, and the necessary safety gear. One wrong move can result in property damage and injury to nearby people.
Install Plants
Surprisingly, winter may be the best time to put in some plants. Specifically, most of these plants are young, dormant saplings that can sleep through the cold weather and leaf out or even blossom in the spring. In our area, some of these trees include dogwoods, Japanese maples, and evergreens. Evergreens also perk up your landscape right away. Some evergreens, such as holly, also have berries that persist throughout the winter.
Some flowers and herbs also need exposure to cold to germinate. The technical name for this is cold stratification. Plants that need cold stratification include lupines, campanulas, cardinal flowers, comfrey, columbine, and white sage.
Add Some Hardscaping
Hardscaping is usually manmade, permanent elements on your property. They include trellises, arbors, pergolas, or even garden benches and picnic tables. You can also have a landscape company install stone walkways and patios, firepits, and even fountains that can be turned on when the weather warms.
What Not To Do When It Comes to Winter Landscaping
There are a few things you should avoid when it comes to winter landscaping. These include:
- Don’t prune spring-flowering ornamental shrubs.
- Don’t put down too much de-icing salt.
- Don’t try to take down an old tree yourself.
- Don’t install concrete or asphalt paving in freezing weather.
Winter is a fine time to landscape your property if it’s done correctly. If you want landscaping design and installation work done on your property this winter, call our professionals at Willow Tree & Landscaping of Hatboro, PA.