Now that winter is almost here, it is time to prepare your yard for the freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. Whether you do it yourself or hire a landscaping service in Salem, Oregon, it is vital to protect all the items in your yard. Below are some times for preparing your yard and irrigation system for winter.
Clean Your Yard
Where do all the bugs and pests go when it gets cold outside? Many of them burrow under piles of leaves, sticks, and foliage. Therefore, you should start winter preparation with full yard cleanup. Rake all the leaves, pick up all the debris, and clear out unneeded brush and weeds.
By cleaning the yard and clearing out the debris, animals will find somewhere else to protect themselves from the cold. You will not have as bad a pest problem as you did this last spring and summer.
Winterize Your Irrigation System
Winterizing your irrigation system requires more than just turning it off. Without proper winterization, exposure to freezing temperatures, ice, or snow can damage any exposed pipes or sprinkler equipment. Take these four steps to winterize your irrigation system.
- Shut off the water supply to the system. This prevents water from freezing up inside the pipes or sprinklers.
- If your irrigation is on an automatic schedule, then turn off the main controller and take it off of automated scheduling. This will prevent the water pump from coming on. As a precaution, you may want to cut the power to the controller.
- Even after you turn the system off, water is still lingering in the pipes. Therefore, you should drain the pipes. You can drain the pipes using the manual or automatic drain valve. You can always blow out the water as well.
- If any of your irrigation components are above ground, then consider insulating them. You can use insulation tape or even pine straw.
Finally, review your irrigation system’s manual for detailed instructions on how to winterize the system during the cold season.
Trim Your Trees, Bushes, and Roses
Landscaping and pruning always stimulates healthy growth in plants. The best time to prune your plants is during the mid-fall season or late winter season just before springtime. Pruning during the winter promotes fast regrowth when the growing season arrives in the season. Here are some quick tips for pruning your trees, bushes, or rose bushes.
- Prune when it is cool and dry outside.
- Prune at least a month before freezing temperatures are expected to arrive.
- Prune out all dead and diseased branches (A.K.A., “deadheading)
- Remove or trim low-hanging branches or branches that hang over your roof/gutter.
- Remove all unneeded brush or overgrowth to give other plants more air and light.
- Cut all branches or twigs at the node – the point at which they are attached.
Mow Until the Grass Stops Growing
Mowing at the end of the fall season is an effective way to fuel grass growth next season. Allowing the grass to grow long into the winter may cause your lawn to develop mold or fungus. Your grass should stop growing when the temperature during the day consistently tops out at 50 degrees.
By the time winter arrives, your grass blades should grow to about two inches. Grass at that height can handle the harsh winter climate.
Landscaping Service in Salem, Oregon
If you prefer that someone else do your lawn, then Green Acres Landscape is here to help. We offer comprehensive lawn service in Salem, Oregon. Our services are extended to both residential and commercial properties. To schedule a lawn cleanup or other services, call us at (503) 399-8066 or message us on our contact page.