Preparing Home and Garden for Winter
The fall season is winding down and winter will be upon us shortly. Here are some things to do now to make sure your garden looks great next spring and your home stays bug free this winter:
Rake leaves. Fallen leaves left on the lawn can smother or weaken the turf. Rake the lawn as needed. Add the leaves to the compost pile or use them as mulch.
Fertilize. In milder winter areas, there's still time to feed cool-season lawns and landscape plants.
Protect roses. Where temperatures fall below 10 degrees F, most roses will need winter protection. The easiest way is to cut plants back to 18 to 24 inches high and mound soil over the crown of the plant to a depth of at least 12 inches. Once the soil has frozen, add an additional layer of organic matter, such as straw or compost. For information click here.
Control indoor pests. As the weather changes, insect pests like ants, spiders, cockroaches, boxelder bugs, Asiatic lady bird beetles, and cluster/attic flies begin their march indoors. Use Bayer Advanced™ Home Pest Control Indoor/Outdoor Insect Killer Ready-To-Use Nested Sprayer to create a barrier around your home outside and to control pests indoors. For more information on home pest control, click here.
Drain irrigation systems. In cold-winter climates, make sure all irrigation systems (both drip and below ground) have been properly drained to prevent damage from freezing water.
Care for houseplants. If you haven't done so already, move tender plants indoors before the first frost. For more information on caring for houseplants visit this page.
Mulch. To keep winter weeds to a minimum, spread a fresh layer of organic mulch around trees and shrubs.
Water. If the weather has been dry and the ground is not frozen, deep-water trees and shrubs to prevent winter desiccation.
Care for tools. Clean metal parts, then wipe with machine oil. Treat handles with linseed oil. Store in a cool, dry place.
Store patio furniture. Move table and chairs into garage, basement or other protected location.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Bayer Advanced
