Aerate & Fertilize Grassy Areas
Giving grass a little extra care just before the growing season ends helps it survive the winter. If you didn’t aerate in the spring or fall, you’ll want to do this step now to prevent frozen precipitation from having a negative effect on the soil. Fertilizing the lawn can also give it a boost to help it make it through the next several months. Depending on where you live, overseeding the lawn now might also encourage new growth faster in the spring. You can also take this time to add beach pebbles and other varieties of decorative rocks, such as polished black river rock, to your yard.
Cover Delicate Plants
If you put in new plants this year, they might be vulnerable to dying off due to frost. Or you might have a few plants in your landscaping that aren’t known for being hardy in cold weather. While you may not need to cover the plants all winter long, remember to put a protective cloth over them when freezing temperatures are in the forecast. If you have a commercial property, appoint someone to manage covering the plants if you remove them for special events.
Wrap Tree Trunks
Trees also need a little help to make it through the winter. Wrapping tree trunks only takes a few minutes, but this will protect new trees from freezing or getting sunburn from the glare that comes off the snow. Typically, you can leave the wrap on until the weather starts to warm up again.
Add Rocks & Mulch to Plant Beds
Landscaping pebbles are a more beautiful option to use around the base of plants compared to mulch. Both rocks and mulch create a protective base layer that helps the soil retain more water while also warming the roots. Choosing light-colored landscaping rocks such as snow-white pebbles can also have the effect of causing sunlight to reflect upward toward the plants in the garden that need more warmth.
Adjust the Watering Schedule
Most likely, you can take a break from all the watering you had to do during the summer. If you live in an area that gets lots of winter precipitation, you might not need to water at all. Or you might choose to switch to a hand-watering schedule if you need to shut off the irrigation system on your property. Either way, do some research on the ideal winter watering schedule for your plants so you’ll know exactly how to avoid overwatering during the wetter part of the year.
No matter what type of plants are in your landscape, you can enhance its character and beauty with a variety of stones. For advice on designing your landscape with decorative rocks and beach pebbles, reach out to the experts at RS&P Rocks Stones & Pebbles, a premier landscape rock and supply superstore. We specialize in drought-tolerant landscaping materials, including a variety of colored pebbles and river rocks. To learn how we can help you enhance the look of your lawn, call us today.
