When winter rolls around many homeowners think they are off the hook for landscape maintenance for the rest of the year. However, this couldn’t be further than the truth. Residential landscapes require consistent maintenance. Neglecting your yard for even a week can result in damage that will take time and effort to repair.

If you want to keep your landscape looking lush and beautiful all year long you’re going to have to put in effort all year long. Or, you can hire an exceptional landscaping team to do the hard work of landscape maintenance for you. Either way, you need to make sure your landscape is getting the attention it needs to remain healthy throughout the winter.

It’s crucial you avoid making any costly landscaping mistakes that could damage your landscape design. Avoid making these top landscape mistakes homeowners make every winter and you’ll have the nicest yard in the neighborhood when spring returns.

Neglecting To Water Plants

One of the worst things you can do for your landscape is stop watering your plants. A lush green lawn can rapidly loose its luster if you stop watering it for even just a few days. Your fruit trees, hedges, and shrubbery will still need to be consistently watered, even in winter.

Unless the weather is at freezing temperatures, you should make sure your plants are getting the a healthy amount of water. This will help prevent the damaging effects of dehydration and prevent diseases from developing and spreading among your plants.

Using The Wrong Fertilizer

Just because the weather’s getting colder doesn’t mean your landscape vegetation is going to stop growing. As the temperature begins to drop, ensure your landscape is getting the nutrients it needs by giving it the right fertilizer. If your yard and plants do not get the proper fertilizer they need, they will start to wither and, in some cases, succumb to frost burns.

Minimize the use of fertilizers that take a long time to dissolve, like granular fertilizers, to help your plants continue to grow in winter. For maximum results, you can use a spray applicator to gently apply the correct fertilizer to your landscape.

Using Weed Killer In Winter

Shrubbery and grass won’t be the only thing growing in winter. Weeds, an annoyance for all landscapers and gardeners, will still be finding ways to sneak into your manicured landscape. It may be tempting to blast any weeds you find with powerful, chemical weed killer, but do your best to avoid this temptation. Many weed killers contain ingredients that are harmful for many plants as well as the environment.

Many landscaping experts recommend only using weed killer that doesn’t harm plants or the environment, like Whey2Grow. The experts also advise to only use weed killer if winter temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s any colder, it is better to wait until warmer weather returns before you bring the weed killer out.

Deciding To Not Rake

Yes, raking isn’t fun even when the weather is pleasant. However, as tempting as it may be to skip this chore, you shouldn’t neglect your raking duties. After all, you don’t want fungus or mold to grow underneath those leaves do you?

Ignoring Pest Problems

Don’t make the mistake of assuming the winter frost will kill any pests lurking around in your garden. You need to take action if you notice any of these pest warning signs:

  • Worms or pests inside any crops you harvest
  • Holes in crops or foliage
  • Wilting stems and leaves
  • Eggs attached to the bottom of leaves
  • Bite marks on leaves or soft crops
  • Pest tracks and snail trails

Failing to take the proper steps to eradicate pests from your garden, lawn, or plants can result in a total landscape infestation. Save yourself time and money by in the long run by immediately taking action the moment you notice signs of pests. Reach out to your local landscaping experts to learn more about how to best tackle the pests you find in your landscape.

Keep In Mind

Ensure your landscape survives the winter and flourish in the springtime by avoiding the costly mistakes mentioned above. If all of this seems like a lot to handle, especially during the holiday season, it’s okay! Landscape maintenance requires a lot of skill and expertise. It can be extremely frustrating and difficult for an inexperienced homeowner.

You don’t have to spend your time learning how to landscape. And you certainly don’t have to waste your money fixing any beginner landscaping mistakes you might make. There are other options. One of the best things you can do to save time and energy is to hire a professional landscaping team who you can trust to get the job done right every time.