Winter in the Greater Boston area can be harsh, with freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and harsh winds. These conditions can take a toll on your landscape, damaging plants and hardscaping. Proper winter preparation is essential for protecting your investment and ensuring that your landscape emerges healthy and vibrant in the spring. Jean Brooks Landscapes, serving homeowners throughout Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Belmont, Arlington, Lexington, Winchester, and Boston, offers expert winter landscape preparation services to help you safeguard your outdoor space.
Protecting Your Plants:
- Trees and Shrubs:
- Watering: Water trees and shrubs deeply before the ground freezes to help them survive the winter. Evergreens, especially, benefit from a good watering in late fall.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch, such as shredded bark or wood chips, around the base of trees and shrubs to insulate the roots and protect them from temperature fluctuations.
- Wrapping: Wrap young or vulnerable trees with burlap or tree wrap to protect them from winter sunscald and frost cracks.
- Pruning: Prune any dead or damaged branches to prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow or ice.
- Perennials:
- Cutting Back: Cut back perennials in the fall to prevent them from harboring pests and diseases over the winter.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of perennials to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.
- Annuals:
- Remove: Remove annual plants at the end of the growing season, as they will not survive the winter.
Protecting Your Lawn:
- Aerate: Aerate your lawn in the fall to improve drainage and allow for better root penetration.
- Fertilize: Apply a winterizer fertilizer in the late fall to provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to survive the winter.
- Rake Leaves: Remove fallen leaves from your lawn to prevent them from smothering the grass and promoting disease.
- Mowing: Mow your lawn for the last time in the fall, leaving the grass slightly shorter than usual.
Protecting Your Hardscaping:
- Patios and Walkways:
- Clean: Clean patios and walkways to remove any debris, leaves, or dirt.
- Seal: Seal any cracks or gaps in concrete or pavers to prevent water from seeping in and causing damage during freeze-thaw cycles.
- Retaining Walls:
- Inspect: Inspect retaining walls for any signs of damage or movement.
- Repair: Repair any cracks or gaps to prevent further damage.
- Water Features:
- Winterize: Winterize water features, such as fountains and ponds, to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. This may involve draining water, removing pumps, and covering the feature.
Other Winter Preparations:
- Clean and Store Garden Tools: Clean and store garden tools properly to prevent rust and damage.
- Disconnect Hoses: Disconnect garden hoses and drain them to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
- Cover Outdoor Furniture: Cover or store outdoor furniture to protect it from the elements.
- Prepare Snow Removal Equipment: Ensure that your snow removal equipment is in good working order before the first snowfall.
Working with Jean Brooks Landscapes:
Preparing your landscape for winter can be a time-consuming and challenging task. Jean Brooks Landscapes is here to help.
Our team can:
- Assess your property and provide personalized recommendations.
- Perform all necessary winter preparation tasks, including pruning, mulching, and winterizing water features.
- Provide ongoing maintenance throughout the winter to ensure that your landscape is protected.
Serving the Greater Boston Area:
Jean Brooks Landscapes proudly serves homeowners throughout the Greater Boston area, including Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Belmont, Arlington, Lexington, Winchester, and Boston. We understand the unique challenges of winter in this region and are committed to helping you protect your landscape investment.
Benefits of Professional Winter Landscape Prep:
- Expertise and Experience: We have the knowledge and skills to properly prepare your landscape for winter.
- Time Savings: We can handle all the necessary tasks efficiently and effectively.
- Peace of Mind: You can rest assured that your landscape is protected from winter damage.
- Healthy Landscape: Proper winter preparation ensures that your landscape emerges healthy and vibrant in the spring.
Protecting Your Investment:
Your landscape is a valuable investment. By taking the necessary steps to prepare it for winter, you can protect your investment and ensure that it continues to bring you joy for years to come.
Contact Us Today:
Ready to prepare your landscape for winter? Contact Jean Brooks Landscapes today for a consultation. Whether you’re in Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Belmont, Arlington, Lexington, Winchester, or Boston, we look forward to working with you.