Now is the time to get your yard ready for winter. Late season watering of all newly planted trees and shrubs is highly recommended. Many of these plants, both evergreens and non-evergreens, have a limited root system and may be damaged by lack of moisture in late winter or early spring. Applying water just before the ground freezes up helps insure winter survival.

Foundation plants, especially evergreens may become dry during the late summer and fall. Thorough watering of these plants will help reduce the chances of winter desiccation. After the ground freezes plants are unable to absorb water thus maximum absorption of water before freeze up is important.

Lawns should go into winter at the same height as it has been kept during the growing season. Allowing the grass to become longer increases the possibility of snow mold and vole damage in early spring. Cutting grass extremely short in late fall makes leaf raking easier, but causes the lawn to be more susceptible to winter damage from low temperatures.

As a general rule, perennials are not cut back in the fall. The remaining tops hold snow and protect the plant root and crown from the severe winter conditions. Peony tops are removed just below ground level after they freeze back and brown. Botrytis blight over winters on the stems at ground level. Iris are cut back in the fall to prevent rhizome damage in the spring.

This page was last updated April 2003

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