A lush winter landscape
December 1, 2008
A winter yard in the temperate zone?
OK, so maybe your yard can’t look like the above photo unless you live south of 30 degrees N latitude. Or maybe you live in a building and could care less. I am presenting the following information as a Public Service Announcement.
5 Tips for a Lush Winter Landscape
The winter season may do a number on your property’s landscape, but it doesn’t have to. With a combination of evergreen plants, water, and mulch — and these tips — you can maintain a lush landscape, in spite of the changing seasons.
Winter Landscaping Tips
1. Group Plants Together
Grouping plants adds variety, but do it in groups of odd numbers — we grouped ours in sets of three. It mimics the natural order of plant life and blends the landscape evenly and smoothly.
2. Surround Your Landscape with Mulch
It looks great, insulates warmth, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds — what’s not to love? Mulch is vital for cold-weather maintenance.
3. Use Plants with Winter Interest
Evergreens are just that — always green. Use pines, hollies and spruce to bring year-round color to your yard. Leaves don’t have to be the focal point of your plant life either — twigs and stems can have a color pop as well.
4. Bathe Your Plants
Plants go dormant in the winter — start the cool season by giving them an initial bath and watering once a day for two weeks. This will provide them with all the sustenance they need to revive come springtime.
5. Attract Birds and Animals
A birdbath and feeder will ensure that our feathered friends continue to frequent your yard, keeping it interesting, colorful, and thriving, despite the falling leaves (and changing seasons).
For more exterior (and interior) design tips, head to LXTV.
My comment: You can still “put in” (plant, bury) some types of bulbs this fall (until 12/21) so you can be surprised next spring by new growth and beautiful blooms. I recommend these people to get your bulbs: http://www.johnscheepers.com
Who knew? I’m a yard guy now! Uh, just for my own house—don’t call!
A nice back yard next spring.
