Tips on Getting Your Lawn and Landscape Ready for Winter

Dr. Jim Wilkinson

President, SeaScape

November 16, 2016

Fall is Officially Here

When the clocks turn back an hour, we tend to move inside and put our landscapes to rest. There is still some work to be done, though. Here are a few tips on getting your lawn and landscape ready for winter.

Leaves

Yes, it's a pain to pick up leaves. No, you should not just mow them over and mulch them into your lawn. Leaves, both whole and mulched, that are left on turf over the winter can do some serious damage to your grass. The leaves we have in our area do not decompose rapidly enough to provide nitrogen to the lawn. What they do is block sunlight and nutrients from reaching your grass, especially when they sit in piles. Please, pick those leaves up. Try to pick them up as they fall a little at a time rather than waiting for every leaf to fall. Your lawn will be better for it.

Mowing

As the last mow of the season approaches, please keep your mower blades high. There is no reason to mow your lawn shorter for the final cut. Mowing short can scalp your lawn, making it turn brown and unsightly for the winter. If you must mow your lawn a little shorter, don't drop the mower any more than one setting lower.

Grub Damage

Due to the drought we had this summer, grubs hatched later than normal. One or two grubs in the lawn usually doesn't signal an issue. However, if you see large brown areas, please give us a call as that may signal grub activity. Grubs will eat the roots of the grass, killing it. Crows and/or skunks may do further damage by digging up the lawn to eat the grubs.

Trees and Shrubs

Fall is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. They need to be watered right up until the ground freezes. Please water them once a week to give them a good chance to survive the winter.

Mature trees and shrubs don't need much maintenance at this time of the year. You may want to consider an anti-desiccant application this fall, especially for broadleaf evergreens (i.e., azaleas and rhododendrons). This protective coating helps trees and shrubs that are prone to losing water through their leaves and bark (think Vaseline on your lips when the wind is whipping outside as you shovel).

Deer

Deer tend to feed on landscape plants, especially in winter, when they are out searching for food. To alleviate this problem repellents can be applied to keep plants safe.

About Dr. Jim Wilkinson

Dr. Wilkinson’s 35+ years experience in the turf & horticulture industry includes teaching at Ohio State University; general manager, Old Fox Lawn Care; President, Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA); and PLCAA’s Director of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Wilkinson(MS, horticulture; PhD, turf management) owns and operates SeaScape Inc. Beginning first as a lawn care service company (lawn fertilization and related services), services have expanded to now include tree & shrub care (insect and disease control); full service tree work; variousforms of pest control; full service commercial property landscape management; and, Christmas lighting. Our service area includes all of Rhode Island; southeast Massachusetts; and, eastern Connecticut.

For any questions contact our office at 1-800-294-5296 or online at www.seascapeinc.com for more information.