Yard Work During the Winter Months

There's still plenty to be done during the coldest winter months to keep your yard well cared for. Keeping sidewalks, driveways and porches clear of snow can be very strenuous exercise, so don't overdo it and stay well hydrated. Make a daily inspection of your property to pick up fallen branches. A quick inspection gets you out in the sunshine for your daily dose of Vitamin D and alerts you to any other tasks that need to be done.

If you use a cut tree for Christmas, don't discard it after the holiday. Saw off branches of the tree for an excellent protective cover for perennial plants that renew from their base every year. Remove them in the spring to let the ground warm up, and dispose of them as you normally do with tree branches.

Late winter is the best time to prune most trees and rose bushes, before they begin to bud. Remove any dead or diseased branches or canes. Open up the center by removing crossed branches. Tip cutting roses encourages budding and strong lateral growth along the cane. Shrubs and vines should also be pruned in late winter, except for spring-blooming plants like forsythia or quince. Wait until after they've blossomed to prune, or you'll lose that season's flowers. Generally, shrubs should be pruned for shaping or growth control by no more than one-third in any given year.

Winter is also a good time to make repairs to arbors and trellises, while the plants are dormant and more daylight penetrates. Give your evergreens a good drink of water early in the day when it's snowless, to give the water time to penetrate the soil before freezing nighttime temperatures. Winter is a thirsty time for evergreen plants.