January Lawn and Landscape Tips

Landscape & Maintenance Tips

• Gently brush off any heavy snow from tree and shrub branches.
•  Spruces, pines, hollies, junipers and other evergreens do not go dormant during winter months, so it may be necessary to water these plants during winter dry spells.
• Your lawn may require water during a winter drought, especially if it's newly seeded.  Lawns require 1" of water every 2 weeks when temperatures are above freezing.
• Still a great time to prune your trees and shrubs! Branching structures are more visible after leaves have dropped and pruning this time of the year can prevent potential damage from ice/snow and wind.
• A well-executed pruning, especially in young trees, will encourage a strong growth habit. Let a Miller's International Society of Arborists (ISA) certified technician teach you or perform for you, proper pruning practices and see the difference!
• Do not attempt to remove ice from plants.
• Avoid foot traffic on frozen or frosted lawns as this can injure turf.
• Excessive amounts of ice-melt can harm plant material and paved surfaces. A good core aeration along the edges will allow salts to filter rather than burning.
• Remove excess sands/salts following a storm from grass and especially concrete surfaces as they can corrode if left for a few days.
• Plan ahead for spring; winter months are ideal for patio, wall and other hardscape upgrades.  For a more prompt response, the off season is ideal. Don't wait till the spring rush if you can avoid it!

Water Feature Tips

Fountains, ponds and waterfalls add a delightful aspect to any landscape.  Water features can soothe the soul but who wants to maintain them. We're experienced in the intricacy of the interplay of water, terrain, and surrounding plants, and pride ourselves on how they all fit together. Proper installation is the key to our success in the water feature arena. We offer everything from installation to weekly maintenance.
Here are a few tips:

• If your stream or waterfall is still running, be sure to watch for ice dams - remove as needed.
• On features shut down for the winter, check to make sure pumps have water and are not freezing.
• Take care of those fish!  Keep an open hole in pond ice for oxygen exchange.Use a floating deicer if needed. Do not feed your fish until water temperature is above 50 degrees.
• Continue to add cold water bacteria and barley extract.
• Plan now for spring! Schedule early for spring start-ups, spring cleanouts, water feature builds, and makeovers.
• Go green with the addition of filtration, aeration, and beneficial bacteria to help control weed and algae issues in pond and lake management.
• Help your water quality, clarity, and beautification with streams and waterfalls. Don't get chemically dependent.
• Add an auto fill easily by tying it into your irrigation system.
• Call the office to find out what you need to be doing this winter to enhance your water feature!

February Lawn and Landscape Tips

Make sure you are prepared for your spring lawn care and landscape maintenance. Contact your lawn & landscape company before they get busy!

Turf Pre-emergent applications begin in February. Pre-emergent applications will control grassy weeds (such as Crabgrass and Foxtail). If this application is timed or applied incorrectly, you may be in trouble come summer time!

Dormant seed your lawn now, if you missed the fall seeding. The germination process will begin by absorbing water without actually beginning to grow. Break open the soil by verticutting, and or aerating and when the soil temperatures begin to rise, your seed will be ready to grow. By mid March it will be too late!

Perform Dormant Oil applications on pine trees before new growth occurs (very timely application).

Deep Root Feed your trees and shrubs! The health of our plants after the last two years is deteriorating and they will need some food. For newer or smaller plant material, a good granular feeding can be all they need. Call your provider to ask about the differences in deep root feeding.

It's still a great time for winter hardscape projects (like patios, walls and other hardscape upgrades). Again, plan these projects before companies get busy!

Continue to prune trees and shrubs. As a guide, prune flowering trees and shrubs within a month or so after they flower (mostly, look for buds and don't prune if they are present). And wait on oaks and walnuts; they should be pruned in July to avoid wilt diseases.

• Branching structure is more visible after leaves have dropped
• Well-executed pruning, especially in young trees, will encourage strong growth habit
• Proper pruning can prevent potential damage from ice/snow/wind
• Ask about rejuvenation or renewal pruning that revives old, overgrown or unhealthy plants
• Water evergreens only if the soil is dry and unfrozen.
• Gently brush off any heavy snow from tree and shrub branches and do remove ice from plants.
• Avoid foot traffic on frozen or frosted lawns as this can injure turf.
• Excessive amounts of ice-melt can harm plant material and paved surfaces.
• Read labels and follow directions when applying product(s)
• Remove excess sands/salts following a storm
• Aerate or apply soil conditioners to help filter salts and avoid damage

Full bird feeders attract winter birds and wildlife. If you've been feeding birds, continue to do so. Birds become reliant on certain food supplies and if that supply disappears, they can go hungry.

Your lawn may require water during a winter drought, especially if it's newly seeded.  Lawns require 1" of water every 2 weeks when temperatures are above freezing.

As a rule of thumb, start most seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost of the season. So this means starting tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, and the like in the next few weeks. 

Contributed by the lawn and landscape professionals at Miller's Landscaping & Lawn Care