As another year comes to a close, it’s important to look ahead for optimal landscape care.

Cold Months Preparation

The early months can bring the harshest impact from winter weather. Here are our recommendations for taking care of your landscape ahead of time:

• Lay Mulch Ahead of Time: A hard freeze can create damage to flowerbeds and trees. The insulation provided by mulch can keep roots at an optimal temperature and enclose moisture for better plant growth.

• Winterize Your Sprinklers: Protecting your irrigation from a freeze keeps your water bill low and your pipes functional. 

• Remove Debris: Raking leaves and dead foliage allows your lawn to breathe even during the cold winter months.

Set Up for Spring Success

It’s never too early to start thinking about successful spring blooms. By preparing for spring ahead of time, you cultivate a landscape that is ready to thrive on time and to the fullest. These preparatory measures will create a healthy environment for the new season:

• Prune in Wintertime: Pruning sheds extraneous plant weight, allowing for plenty of space for spring growth.

• Soil Testing: Having your soil tested ensures it’s in great shape for spring growth. Add a layer of compost before early spring to give it time to adjust.

• Irrigation Inspection: Even after winterizing your irrigation, you’ll still want to make sure it’s ready for next season. Checking your faucets, hoses, and other irrigation features for damage or leaks will provide enough time for fixes before springtime is here.

Seasonal Preparation is a Successful Plan of Action

Taking care of your landscape is a year-round job. Every season presents its challenges, but preparing ahead and having a clear vision for what your property needs is the best way to maintain a beautiful, healthy landscape all year long.

Our mission is to make the world a more beautiful place through landscape design. Ready to partner with a team that knows the ins and outs of landscape management?

As summer subsides and rolls into fall, it’s easy to embrace the cooler temperatures, the stunning yellow and orange leaves, and cozy outdoor activities.

But before you know it, winter will be knocking at your door, ready to make its mark on your landscape.

That’s why preparing for winter is so important.

At Chapel Valley, we’re passionate about beauty in every season — and that starts from the ground up.

By taking measures to protect your landscape before winter arrives, you preserve a healthy landscape for winter and set the stage for a thriving outdoor space in the seasons to come.

Why Start Winter Protection Now?

Landscape protection and maintenance is a year-round job.

Pests, mold, and disease can spoil the health of a landscape depending on the season.

By customizing your landscape protection in anticipation of a new season, your property is ready to welcome a new season as it comes.   

What Can I Do to Protect My Landscape?

The two best things you can do for your landscape before winter are:

• Proper Fertilization

• Irrigation Winterizing

Why Fertilize Before Winter?

Fertilization is a gift for your soil all year long, but there are several key reasons why proper fertilization should take place before winter:

• Softer Ground Benefits Soil Health: By fertilizing before temperatures drop, new fertilizer has enough time to settle and benefit the soil before the ground freezes.

• Fall Fertilization Benefits Growth: Fertilization supports the strong roots your grass needs to grow during the winter, making for a more plentiful spring growth season in the coming year.

How Do I Winterize My Irrigation? 

Winterizing your irrigation system prevents freeze damage. Take these steps to protect your irrigation features:

• Turn Off Water Supply: Shutting off the valve to your irrigation system protects it from potentially freezing during the winter. You can do this using foam insulation tape.

• Use a Drain Valve to Remove Water: Drain valves can be manual or automatic, and using them removes water from sprinklers and pipes. Leftover water can freeze and damage the pipes, so this is a necessary step in winterization.

• Insulate Above-Ground Outdoor Features: Exposed elements are especially vulnerable, as they’re the first to be impacted by dropping temperatures and winter winds. Insulation tape will get the job done.

Ready to Prepare for Winter Together?

Winter preparation can be a big task, but you don’t have to go it alone. Our team of experts is versed in all seasons, and can provide the best service and protection for your landscape as fall turns to colder temperatures.

It’s never too early to prepare for winter.

Team up with Chapel Valley for optimal winter landscape care, and we’ll ensure your outdoor spaces remain healthy and vibrant, no matter what the season brings.