Finish garden cleanup. There still is time to cut back any perennials in your garden. If you choose to leave them, they can provide food for the birds and interest in winter.

Don’t forget our feathered friends. Soon the ground will be covered with snow and they will be eagerly looking for food. They’re fun to watch, not only at the feeders but also eating the fruits on the crabapple trees & perched upon the seed heads of perennials.

After the ground is frozen, cover your perennial gardens with a 6” layer meadow hay. You can also use straw, shredded leaves, pine needles and evergreen boughs. It’s best not to use grass clippings, as they tend to trap moisture and decompose very quickly.

Mulch your spring blooming bulbs. Tulips & daffodils, especially if planted on the south side of the house may start making an appearance on those sunny, warm days in the middle of winter, only to freeze out before Spring arrives.

Protect the trunks of young, “thin-barked” trees such as Maples, Apples, Crabapples & Lindens from sunscald.  Traditional tree wraps have recently been replaced with corrugated, staple-on guards and flexible, white plastic piping. Make sure there is enough air space between the tree trunk and the guard for good air circulation. These also protect against deer and rabbit damage. Remove all tree guards in spring. 

Holiday plants such as Poinsettia, and Amaryllis are popping up in stores. To prolong their beauty, give them bright light, cool temps & consistent moisture. Keep your Christmas tree in great shape too by maintaining a constant level of water in its base.

Start planning your Spring gardening endeavors. Winter is the ideal time to plan. Soon news stands will be full of special Spring gardening editions.  Check out our annual, perennial, tree & shrub listing on our web page for the newest “must-haves” for your garden.

If you’re planning on doing some landscaping or adding a new garden and don’t know where to start, call us @ 320-363-7375 for information and a free landscape starter kit. Our designer will create with you a beautiful, individualized plan for your yard that takes into account your specific location, soil conditions & plants that you would like to have included.

Check out our listing of Annuals, Perennials, Trees & Shrubs and start adding to your “wish list”.