Five Things You Can Do to Improve Your Home’s Landscape This Winter

The spring and summer months are usually fantastic for any homeowner’s landscape. Green grass, gorgeous flowers, and an overall welcome atmosphere make the front or backyard into a welcoming space – a place you want to be with family or friends. Once the cold winter months hit, though, our landscapes tend to look like barren wastelands; and once the holiday decorations come down, things are even more dreary. There are, fortunately, some things you can do to spruce up things up during the winter months.

Mow the Lawn One More Time

First and foremost, mow the lawn one last time before the frost sets in. The shorter your grass when the cold weather strikes, the better it will hold up  throughout the winter. This is especially important if you live in an area that is guaranteed to get snow. Why is this important? If your grass is too long, the pressure of the snow on top of it will cause it to fold over on top of itself. When this happens, the air can’t circulate around the blades. When the spring thaw comes, your grass will have snow mold and may eventually die. Even if you don’t get snow, cutting the grass will ensure your lawn still looks manicured and well-cared for.

Plant Some Evergreens and Trees

Evergreens, usually spruce or pines, are bushes and trees that can stand up to some tough weather. No matter what the season, they’ll still be bright and green and they will not go barren. Holly and apple trees are usually bold and beautiful year round, even though in the case of apples they are no longer offering harvest. Trees and bushes that produce berries tend to do so in the winter months and, as such, will also support winter birds and animals that don’t go elsewhere for the winter.

Care for Your Hardscape

our hardscape – your sidewalks, driveways, and steps – are a part of your landscape. Make sure they’re well cared for during the winter months as well. Call your local Riverside pavers for help sealing the concrete before the winter months hit, if necessary. Poor care, such as lack of shoveling or allowing garbage and debris to pile up because you feel like you can’t go outside as much, will take away from the overall look of your home’s otherwise beautiful landscape. 

Add Extra Structural Pieces

If you didn’t have time to plant before the cold set in, consider sprucing up the look of your yard by adding some structural elements. A colorful bench piece or a box used to hold a pot with a small evergreen can really do a lot to change the way your landscape looks and feels. A small trellis over your walkway, outlined with some decorative branches and sparkling white lights, can prove a total game-changer when it comes to welcoming people to your home throughout the entire season.

Remove Clay Pots and Breakables

While you’re adding seasonal pieces, makes sure you are putting away the ones that won’t stand up to the winter chill as well. Move your clay pots and breakable statues into your garage or basement so that the snow and ice don’t cause cracks or breaks. If something is too large to move, like a statue or fountain, cover it with a plastic tarp so that the ice and snow don’t come into direct contact.

Your home doesn’t need to look abandoned during the winter months. A few hours of cleaning and decorating will improve your curb appeal and brighten up those dreary days and keep you motivated until it’s time to start your spring gardening again!