How to Care for Trees, Shrubs, and Grass During the Winter Months

Winter can be harsh on your landscape. As temperatures drop, your trees, shrubs, and grass face stressors from freezing winds, low moisture, and fluctuating temperatures. But with a few proactive steps, you can keep your yard healthy and resilient year after year.

Whether you’re maintaining a small family lawn or a larger property, understanding how to protect your greenery from winter’s chill will pay off with lush growth once spring returns.

Preparing Your Yard for Winter

The best winter care begins in late autumn. Set aside time before the first frost to prepare your landscape:

• Clean up debris: Remove fallen leaves, sticks, and grass clippings to prevent mold and bacteria from overwintering in your yard.
• Prune dead or damaged branches: Light pruning helps trees and shrubs use their stored energy more efficiently through winter.
• Apply mulch: A 2–3 inch layer around trees and shrubs insulates roots, retains moisture, and prevents temperature fluctuations.
• Aerate and fertilize your lawn: Aeration allows nutrients and water to reach the root zone. A slow-release fertilizer helps grass store nutrients for spring growth.

Doing these tasks early can significantly reduce stress on your landscape when temperatures dip below freezing.

Protecting Trees and Shrubs from Winter Damage

Trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable to winter injury —including desiccation, cracking, and root damage. To safeguard them:

1. Wrap susceptible trunks: Young or thin-barked trees, like maples or fruit trees, can develop frost cracks. Use breathable tree wrap or burlap to shield trunks from sunscald and freezing winds.
2. Use burlap screens: For evergreen shrubs such as boxwoods or arborvitae, burlap windbreaks reduce moisture loss and protect foliage from drying winter winds.
3. Water before the ground freezes: Hydration is crucial before dormancy. Ensure deep watering in late fall to help trees and shrubs withstand dry winter conditions.
4. Avoid heavy pruning: Wait until late winter or early spring to shape or cut back shrubs and trees. Significant pruning too early can stimulate new growth vulnerable to frost.

If you live in an area with frequent snowstorms, gently brush snow from evergreen branches instead of shaking it off. Shaking can cause branches to break under the weight.

Winter Lawn Care Tips

Grass might go dormant in winter, but its root system remains active beneath the surface. Healthy winter lawn care focuses on prevention and protection:

• Cut grass shorter before winter: Keep your final cut around 2 to 2.5 inches high to reduce mold risk under snow cover.
• Minimize lawn traffic: Avoid walking or parking on frozen grass. Repeated compaction can damage roots and crowns.
• Clear excess snow and ice: While a thin layer of snow insulates, compacted snow or thick ice sheets can suffocate the grass. Gently spread snow piles to allow for more even melting.
• Keep salt away from turf: Ice melt products containing salt can burn grass and contaminate soil. Use sand or calcium magnesium acetate as safer alternatives.

If you notice areas that consistently struggle in winter—like shaded patches or spots near sidewalks—plan to overseed in spring to maintain a balanced, lush lawn.

Winter Watering and Mulching Best Practices

One of the most underrated aspects of winter plant care is watering. Even during dormancy, roots need moisture.

• Water deeply on warmer days: When temperatures rise above 40°F, water trees and shrubs early in the day so moisture soaks in before freezing overnight.
• Focus on evergreens: Evergreens continue to lose water through their needles, so regular watering during dry spells prevents winter burn.
• Insulate the root zone: Mulch moderates soil temperature and reduces freeze-thaw cycles that can heave shallow-rooted shrubs from the ground.

Replenish mulch if it thins during winter storms, but avoid piling it directly against trunks, as this can encourage rot and pests.

Storing and Protecting Garden Tools and Supplies

Winter is also a time to protect your equipment. Constant exposure to moisture can rust tools, degrade hoses, and damage fertilizers or soil amendments. Proper storage not only preserves your gear but makes spring cleanup easier. Choose enclosed, weather-resistant containers to organize gardening tools, hoses, and outdoor decorations. Plastic outdoor storage solutions from Keter are a great example of durable, easy-to-clean options that stand up to freezing temperatures while keeping your supplies accessible.

Planning for Spring Recovery

Once the worst of winter passes, begin assessing your landscape as snow melts. Watch for signs of rodent activity, broken branches, or areas of lawn mold. Light raking and early fertilizing can help your yard recover quickly.

Start a maintenance checklist for the upcoming months that includes:

• Inspecting irrigation systems or sprinklers
• Reapplying mulch where needed
• Pruning damaged branches
• Planning for reseeding or new plantings

By caring for your yard through every season, you’ll strengthen its ability to thrive year after year.

The Takeaway

Winter yard care doesn’t have to be complex—just consistent. Trees, shrubs, and grass all benefit from attention before, during, and after the cold season. Protect roots with mulch, hydrate carefully, minimize lawn damage, and shield plants from biting winds.

With these proactive steps, your landscape will awaken stronger, greener, and more beautiful when spring arrives.