Freeze warnings are common for Michigan in the winter. From freezing rain to thick piles of snow, the weather can be quite frigid this time of year. If you’re worried about your landscaping for the cold months, the tips below will help you preserve your plants until spring. Read on to learn how to protect your landscaping during a freeze warning.
What Is a Freeze Warning?
A freeze warning occurs when the temperature is projected to drop below 32° F. Many plants are able to withstand these temperature drops, but some need a little extra protection to get through the cold. Freeze warnings are also an indication that you may want to salt your driveway, buy last-minute groceries, drip your faucets, and take other cautionary steps to protect your family.
How to Protect Landscaping during a Freeze Warning
Here are some ways to prepare landscaping for a freeze warning:
- Bring potted plants inside, if possible. If the potted plant is too heavy inside, cover the plants with cloth, then add a layer of plastic over the cloth. Anchor the edges of the cover to the ground with rocks, bricks, or other heavy objects.
- Water your plants before it freezes. If it is still above 40° F, water your plants thoroughly to prepare for the freeze. The water will help the soil retain more heat. Make sure to water the ground, not the foliage of the plant. If the ground is already frozen, skip this step.
- Protect tender plants that are susceptible to freeze damage. Add straw or mulch around the root structures of your plants to protect them from frost. You can also cover shrubs with burlap or linen to create a barrier between the plant and the precipitation. When the freeze is over, you can remove the covers to prevent condensation.
- Avoid walking on your grass. Blades of grass become brittle in the winter. Grass that is frequently walked on may take a while to recover in the spring. Avoid walking directly on your lawn, especially when the ground is frozen.
- Cover exposed faucets. This protects the piping inside your home. Drip the faucets inside to keep a continual stream of water flowing through. If you have any yard décor, fountains, or other outdoor elements with water, drain them before the freeze occurs.
If you have a lawn maintenance plan with Berns Landscaping, we can tackle many of these tasks for you. We offer fall cleanup, winter plant protection, winterization, and much more. Reach out to (586) 756-1145 to schedule a consultation for landscaping maintenance.
What to Do after It Freezes
Once the weather starts to warm up, you can remove your protective covers, water your plants, and strategically prune some plant material. Each plant has its own needs, so be careful about what you choose to prune. For instance, rose bushes are best pruned in late winter or early spring. Many species of trees thrive with winter tree pruning from a professional arborist. Factor in each plant’s individual needs when planning out your post-freeze lawn care.
Better yet, let the professionals at Berns Landscaping do the work for you! We have dedicated teams of experts in nearly every area of lawn and garden care. From arborists to horticulturists to award-winning landscape designers, our team is comprised of highly-experienced professionals you can trust. Give us a call to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our year-long property maintenance programs.