Preparing Your Plants for Winter, Burlap, Firewood & Snowplowing - C. Mac Landscape
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Preparing Your Plants for Winter, Burlap, Firewood & Snowplowing

With the three day weekend coming many people come out to winterize their homes, starting with the irrigation system. Many people have had their systems shut down after Labor Day. This is what’s considered the cardinal sin of mistreating trees and plants on your property. Yes the leaves are starting to fall and the trees and plants have stopped growing, but the root systems remain active for four weeks after the leaves even come down. This is serious business especially after any fall planting you might have done. Although I have predicted an average to above average winter temperature, your plants and trees must have enough water in their root systems regardless.

 

And here is why:
In layman’s terms, try to picture freezing chicken in your home. If left in freezer too long, the chicken will developed freezer burn and must be thrown away. Same principle applies to your plants. If there is no moisture in your plant and a serious cold front comes, the roots will burn and the plant will have serious damage and most likely die. Especially new plant material.

 

Here is what to do:
We keep your sprinkler system on as long as weather permits, sometimes going right to the last days. Then we actually hand water many plants, especially ones from warmer climates. So when the ground finally freezes your plants will actually be one big ice cube protecting the roots and actually keeping them warm.

 

With the lack of rain out east this fall, the ground is actually dry. We’ve been transplanting some large trees this fall, and the soil is on the powdery side. So what we do is put a hose on it for a day before we even transplant.

 

Two of the most important things we must write about:
Wrapping your shrubs and trees and winter spraying with anti-transpirant. If you are burlapping any plants DO NOT wrap any of them until after the first HARD freeze. Burlapping them too early can cause many problems such as mildew. Also do not wrap them so tight, as they still need air and some light. There are some plants that don’t need to be wrapped at all. We will advise you through this.

 

If you do your due diligence, you should never have to spray an anti-transpirant such as Wilt Pruf. This is all good, but the root system must be moist as I have previous stated. It is not a one time spray, it MUST be done once per month. And when you do spray you need a minimum 4 hours of 50 degree weather. If you spray below 50 degree it would be like pouring gasoline on them. And NEVER spray Rhododendrons! Ever notice when it freezes outside and the Rhododendrons curl up? That is their natural defense mechanism. What is really cool about Rhododendrons is when you wake up in the morning, look out the window and the leaves are all curled up, you know it’s going to be a cold one. It’s a great feeling when you wake up on January morning and the leaves are spread out. AH, we just might have a mild day!

 

We will be available to visit your property this weekend and any other day for that matter.
Give us a call or even email us, and keep the questions and comments coming.

 

Peace!

 

Winter Prep

 

Believe it or not we are still aerating and reseeding. This is a last call. Also it is inevitable that winter will be coming at some point, and planning now will alleviate any last minute tasks or chores you might want to have done. Our house watching and property services are available to you at anytime.

 

We have been busy splitting firewood for the upcoming winter. It’s well seasoned (at least 2 years) and ready for delivery. $300 stacked and delivered per cord.

 

We are also available with our trucks for providing your property snowplow services.

 

And something you may not even think of:
During a heavy snow we will come to your property to brush off any snow off your shrubs or trees.