January Care

Published January 12, 2021

Intro:
It’s a good idea to prune dormant trees and shrubs now, since you will be clearing space for spring growth to occur. Spring-flowering branches should be brought indoors for forcing. If you’re planning on doing spring planting, you might want to sow seeds in indoor flats to start the growth process now. You should keep an eye on your garden for any plants that may have been uprooted by frost heaving. An extra layer of mulch should help restore growth.

It’s January!  After all the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, it can be tempting to take this month off and get some rest – especially when it comes to your lawn care.  But the reality is that spring will be here before you know it, and this season can be a crucial one for making sure your property gets the outdoor lawn care that she needs.  What you choose to do in the early months of the year will reap dividends later in the year as properties come into bloom.

At GreenPro Outdoor Services, we believe that property owners should take the long view on their lawn care; as a result, we wanted to share some tips and tricks for things homeowners can do to properly tend to and care for their lawn, even in the winter months.   Caring for lawns that are in dormancy will bear fruit when spring starts to flourish!

Keep an Eye Out for Snow & Ice

It can be tempting to remove snow and ice from your property (and you should definitely be careful to remove undue weight from trees, branches, and roofs).  However, you may want to consider leaving snow in place as an insulator against harsher weather.  Homeowners should be careful about removing ice; it may be wiser to wait and let it thaw out.  Obviously walkways should be shoveled and kept clear, but you should be careful about removing heavy ice on your lawn or elsewhere on your property (it can be dangerous!).

Pruning Is Good For the Soul

It’s a good idea to prune dormant trees and shrubs now, since you will be clearing space for spring growth to occur.  Not all dormant trees need to be pruned, however; on spring flowering shrubs, be sure to delay pruning until after they bloom.  Spring-flowering branches should be brought indoors for forcing.  Additionally, be sure to inspect any winterized roses you have, to make sure they are covered and/or firmly tied and anchored.  Additionally, anti-desiccants should be applied to any newly planted evergreens you may have on your property.

Keep Up Your Maintenance

Evergreen perennials need to be protected from freeze damage.  (You can use Christmas greenery as an extra layer of mulch if need be!)  Be sure to keep an eye on your stored tender bulbs every few weeks as well; discard any rotten ones, and lightly mist any flowers that look withered or dried out.  If you’re planning on doing spring planting, you might want to sow seeds in indoor flats to start the growth process now.  Additionally, you should keep an eye on your garden for any plants that may have been uprooted by frost heaving.  If this has happened, an extra layer of mulch should help restore growth.

Finally, you can brighten cold grey days by bringing out your chilled bulbs for forcing indoors.  You can also plant bulbs that don’t require chilling (paperwhite narcissus is a great example).

At GreenPro Outdoor Services we specialize in working with our clients year-round on their property maintenance, so their property is well-cared-for in-season and out.  Having trouble figuring out how best to care for your lawn in these cold winter months?  Give GreenPro a call; we’d be happy to help!