As we change the clocks back for daylight savings, it’s a good reminder that it’s also time for a few landscaping tasks that will help keep your plants happy and healthy until spring. Here’s a quick checklist you can get done in a day.
Apply mulch
New plants, small trees, and young gardens are vulnerable to frost damage, along with soil erosion from wind and water runoff. Mulch prevents erosion until roots mature and take hold and insulates plant roots from freezing temperatures. It even prevents mud from splashing up onto plants during rain showers, which can spread disease and fungal spores. There are different types of mulch that serve different purposes, so it’s a good idea to check with a landscape professional to find the right type for your specific needs.
Adjust irrigation systems
Reduce your water usage by adjusting timers for automatic irrigation systems. Remember to stay within local water schedule guidelines for Visalia for your irrigation systems. However, if you have container gardens or new plants or shrubs you’ve recently installed, you are allowed to hand water with a watering can or hose with shut-off nozzle at any time.
Winterize citrus and avocado trees
Whether in pots or in the ground, citrus and avocado trees need protection from frost. For young trees, small trees, or ones in pots, they will need to be covered when the weather forecast calls for frost. Large established trees are usually fine. Insulating coverings can be found at any home and garden store, often sold in large rolls that can be cut to fit and wrap around trees to protect from frost damage. But in a pinch, inverting garbage cans, large buckets, burlap, or garbage bags can also do the trick too.
Clean up your lawn for winter
A clean lawn is a healthy lawn, so time for one last sweep before the winds and rain arrive. Get rid of leaves, pick up fallen branches, deadhead flowers and dispose or compost what you can. Letting dead leaves or plant materials cover your grass for a long period of time encourages mildew, invites rodents or pests to move in, and blocks sunlight from getting where it’s needed most.
If you have questions about irrigation systems or winter lawn and landscaping maintenance for residential or commercial properties, call us today at (559) 651-2333 to schedule a consultation. We’ve been providing residential landscaping services throughout Visalia, the San Joaquin Valley, and Central California since 1972 and love nothing better than helping our clients enjoy life outdoors all year round.