Yes, it was 75 degrees last week and you were wearing shorts, but the official beginning of winter is coming Dec. 21, we promise. The experts at Lawns of Dallas have a few tips to help winterize your lawn and garden.
Plant!
Winter is the best time to plant new rose bushes! It’s also a good time to plant winter annuals like calendula, snapdragon, pansy, viola, dusty miller, ornamental kale and cabbage, alyssum, stock, cyclamen, dusty miller, flowering kale, and cabbage.
Plant springtime bulbs that need proper chill requirements to bloom like Tulips, Daffodils, Iris, and Hyacinths. And don’t forget the herb garden. Plant herbs like thyme, oregano, parsley, dill, fennel, and chives.
Protect!
Be prepared to cover with a sheet or blanket in case of a deep freeze. Never cover directly with plastic as that can harm your plants. It is ok to cover with a plastic tarp if you have a sheet or blanket between the plastic and the plants.
Prune!
Prune all trees other than red oaks. Pruning in late fall and early winter gives your trees time to heal so they are happy again in the spring.
Prep!
Prep the soil where you want to plant new plants in the spring. Rake leaves into beds to mulch over winter and return nutrients to the soil. If the ground isn’t frozen, till them into the soil for even faster breakdown.
Pluck!
Pluck early weeds out of your lawn. This will prevent them from dropping seeds that can germinate during the winter and sprout in the spring when the weather warms up. Applying one last preemergent for weeds will help ensure your planting beds stay ahead of weeds when the springtime temperatures climb.
If you need help with winterizing your garden or yard, let Lawns of Dallas do the hard work for you. Call 214.357.6522 or email them at [email protected].
