Ready for Winter? It's time to get your yard ready.

Summer is coming to a close, and many of us are preparing ourselves for fall and the winter months ahead. It is a cozy time of year, and you may be starting to plan your autumnal wardrobe – packed with scarves, gloves, and wooly hats – as well as festive activities, such as pumpkin spice drinks, ice skating, winter markets, and more.

Of course, you must maintain your spaces through this change of seasons. If you have a yard, you’ve likely worked hard to care for it through the summer. But many people mistakenly neglect this space during the colder seasons, as they don’t intend to spend any time in it. It creates more work when Spring comes around and can damage or kill plants you want to keep. Here are a few things you can do to take care of your yard and prepare for the winter.

How to Get Your Yard Ready for Upcoming Winter

Tree and Hedge Care

Different trees require different types of care throughout the year, so there’s no one size fits all solution regarding what to do with your own. Instead, research and see what the specific trees in your space will need throughout the upcoming months. Some will need to be taken back, pruned, or receive specialist care from a professional tree service. Some may be evergreen and thrive in snowy or colder conditions.

It’s essential that any loose or weak branches get removed, as strong wind or heavy snowfall could dislodge them, making them a hazard for anyone beneath them. Stay on top of your hedges, having them trimmed back as and when required.

Use Mulch

If you have hardy plants that will make it through the winter with support, or if you want to protect flowerbeds that you’ve spent a lot of time preparing and digging up, you should look into the use of mulch. Mulch is a substance you can lay over flower beds for many purposes. In the summer months, many people use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. It keeps plant roots cool or suppresses or blocks weeds. However, most people will use mulch in the lead-up – and throughout – the winter to prevent frost heaving. You can find mulch in most garden centers and through many online vendors.

Consider Winter Herbs

While we tend to see most plants bloom and grow in the summer months, some plants can thrive and prove rewarding to grow during the colder season. If you’re into growing herbs, many herbs thrive during the winter. Some popular options include myrtle, mint, sage, thyme, and parsley.