Fall Landscape Preparation: Winterize Now for Spring Success

Know Your Site

Soil test (pH, nutrients, texture) guides amendments. Plant inventory (species, age, condition) dictates individual care.

Perennial and Bulb Care

• Cut back spent flower stalks (prevents seeding, tidies).
• Leave foliage until yellow—feeds roots.
• Divide spring bloomers (iris, daylily, peony) now.
• Plant spring bulbs (tulip, daffodil, allium) at 3× depth.

Shrub and Tree Prep

• Remove dead wood only—major pruning late winter.
• Water deeply until freeze—hydrated roots survive better.
• Mulch 3" (keep off trunk)—insulates, prevents heave.
• Wrap thin-barked young trees (maple, linden) against sunscald.
• Anti-desiccant spray on broadleaf evergreens (rhododendron, boxwood) if exposed.

Rose Winterization

• Stop fertilizing 6 weeks before frost.
• Mound 10–12" soil/compost over graft union (Zones 5–6).
• Tie canes; wrap burlap if windy.
• Climbers: lay canes down, cover.

Lawn and Soil

• Aerate + overseed (cool-season).
• Winterizer fertilizer (high K) for root hardiness.
• Lime if soil test indicates.
• Remove leaves—mow-mulch or rake.

Tool and Equipment Storage

Clean, sharpen, oil tools. Drain gas/run dry (or stabilize). Store hoses drained. Winterize irrigation (blow out).

Plan Next Year

Photo document. Note gaps, failures, desires. Order seeds/bareroot early. Dream.