El Niño is expected to bring warmer, wetter conditions this winter. That’s great news for your heating bill, but what does this weather pattern mean for your lawn, trees, and shrubs? Here’s what to watch for in the months ahead, along with steps you can take now to protect your landscape.
Ticks Won’t Take the Winter Off
Tick activity normally slows down once the cold sets in. A milder winter changes that. With warmer temperatures in the forecast, we expect ticks to remain active for much of the season, making them a threat for most of the year.
The good news is that the basics still work:
- Keep your pets on tick prevention year-round, not just in spring and summer.
- Protect yourself outdoors. Wear long sleeves and pants when working in the yard, use repellent, and do a quick tick check when you come inside.
No matter the time of year, a little prevention goes a long way.
Need help keeping ticks under control in your yard? Contact YardGuard by SeaScape today to reserve your spot on our schedule when treatments begin in the spring.
Fungal Issues and Winter Damage on Trees and Shrubs
Swinging temperatures are hard on plants. When winter warms up and then cools down again, trees and shrubs become more prone to fungal problems, and they’re also at greater risk of losing moisture through their leaves.
That moisture loss can lead to desiccation: the drying, browning, and curling of leaves, especially on evergreens. Unfortunately, once that damage happens, it stays until those leaves drop.
Two steps can make a real difference:
- Keep watering new plantings right up until the ground freezes. Young trees and shrubs need that moisture going into winter.
- Apply an anti-desiccant this fall. Fall is the best time to protect your trees and shrubs with an anti-desiccant treatment, which helps lock in moisture through the winter. TreeSolutions can apply it for you and help protect the investment you’ve made in your landscape.
Your Lawn Over the Winter
As temperatures drop, your grass will go into dormancy. A few things to keep in mind:
Stay off frosty grass. Walking on your lawn right after a frost can crush the frozen grass blades. Damaged blades are more vulnerable to disease and fungal problems, so it’s best to wait until the frost melts before heading across the yard.
Watch for snow mold in the spring. If we do get snow this winter, you may notice snow mold once it melts. It makes the grass look matted down and slimy, but don’t panic. It’s easy to fix: a light raking in the spring helps the lawn dry out and recover, and your first spring lawn treatment will perk things right back up.
Get Ahead of Winter Now
A mild winter doesn’t mean your landscape gets a break. A little attention this fall, from watering new plantings to protecting your trees with an anti-desiccant, will pay off when spring arrives. Have questions about getting your lawn and landscape ready? Give us a call or use the contact form below. We’re happy to help.
