Late Fall, Early Winter Landscape Care: Tips for Zone 6-7

As the vibrant hues of autumn fade and the crisp chill of winter settles in, it's time to prepare your landscape for the colder months. Late fall and early winter are pivotal seasons for ensuring your garden, trees, and shrubs remain healthy and resilient through the challenges of winter—especially in Zones 6 and 7. With a little effort and attention to detail, you can set your landscape up for success come spring. Here’s how:

1. Prune Trees and Shrubs with Care

Late fall is an ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs as they enter dormancy. Pruning not only improves plant health but also helps reduce the risk of winter storm damage.

What to Prune:

• Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to reduce stress on your plants.

• Thin out overcrowded branches to improve air circulation and shape your trees and shrubs.

Timing Tips:

• Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like azaleas and forsythias in late fall. Prune these after they bloom to preserve their flower buds.

Tools to Use:

• Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts and prevent spreading diseases. Sterilize your pruning shears between cuts, especially if you're dealing with diseased branches.

  
  

2. Mulch the Garden for Insulation

Adding a fresh layer of mulch in late fall provides essential insulation for your plants. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and prevent weeds.

Best Mulch Types:

• Shredded bark, pine straw, and compost are excellent choices for Zones 6 and 7.

Application Tips:

• Spread mulch 2–3 inches thick around trees, shrubs, and perennials.

• Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks and plant stems to prevent rot.

Bonus Benefit:

• Over time, mulch decomposes and enriches the soil with valuable nutrients.

3. Be Cautious with Snow Salt

Deicing salts can be harmful to plants if they leach into the soil. Taking precautions can help minimize damage to your landscape.

Plant Barriers:

• Use burlap screens or other barriers to shield sensitive plants located near walkways and driveways.

Salt Alternatives:

• Opt for less harmful options like sand, kitty litter, or calcium magnesium acetate.

Flush with Water:

• In spring, rinse areas exposed to salt with water to dilute and leach harmful substances from the soil.

4. Final Lawn Care Tasks

Late fall is your last chance to prepare your lawn for winter.

Keep It Clean:

• Rake up fallen leaves to prevent mold growth and grass suffocation. Alternatively, shred them to use as mulch or add them to a compost pile.

Winter Lawn Prep:

• Cool-season grasses like fescue benefit from one final mow and fertilization before winter. Set your mower blade high to avoid stressing the turf.

5. Protect Your Garden Beds

Garden beds require special attention to ensure they remain healthy through the colder months.

• Remove Spent Plants:

  • Clear out annuals and vegetable plants to reduce the risk of pests and diseases overwintering in your garden.

  
  

• Watering:

  • During dry winters, or for newly installed landscapes, hand-water garden beds as needed to maintain soil moisture.

6. Inspect Irrigation Systems

Before freezing temperatures arrive, take steps to winterize your irrigation systems.

Winterization Tips:

• Hire a professional to blow out and shut off irrigation systems to prevent frozen pipes and damage.

• Store hoses indoors or in a frost-proof area to extend their lifespan.

Set Your Landscape Up for Success

By following these late fall and early winter care tips, your landscape will be well-prepared to handle winter's challenges and emerge vibrant and thriving in the spring. Ready to take your landscaping to the next level? Let Lindsay Mae Designs help you create a landscape that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Contact us today for expert advice and personalized landscape design services tailored to your property’s unique needs. Together, we’ll make your outdoor spaces shine year-round!