How to Winterize Your Landscape in Bend and Redmond: Essential Tips for a Healthy Spring

Winter in Bend and Redmond, Oregon, can be harsh, with cold temperatures and snow putting stress on your landscape. To protect your plants, lawn, and outdoor features, it’s crucial to properly winterize your landscape before the cold sets in. By taking these steps now, you’ll ensure that your yard emerges healthy and vibrant when spring arrives. Here are essential tips for winterizing your landscape.

1. Protect Your Plants

Cold temperatures, frost, and snow can be tough on plants, especially those that are not native to the region. Here’s how to protect them:

• Mulch: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of your plants. Mulch helps insulate the soil, retaining warmth and moisture, and protecting plant roots from freezing temperatures.

• Wrap Vulnerable Plants: For delicate or young plants, consider wrapping them in burlap or frost cloth. This provides an extra layer of protection against frost and cold winds.

• Watering: Water your plants thoroughly before the ground freezes. Well-hydrated plants are better equipped to withstand the stress of winter. However, be careful not to overwater, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.

2. Winterize Your Irrigation System

To prevent damage from freezing temperatures, it’s important to properly winterize your irrigation system:

• Drain the System: Shut off the water supply to your irrigation system and drain all the pipes. This prevents water from freezing inside the pipes, which can cause them to crack.

• Blow Out the Lines: Use an air compressor to blow out any remaining water in the irrigation lines. This ensures that no water is left behind to freeze and cause damage.

• Insulate Backflow Preventers: If your system includes a backflow preventer, make sure to insulate it with foam covers or wrap it in insulation to protect it from freezing.

3. Prepare Your Lawn

Your lawn also needs attention before winter arrives to ensure it remains healthy:

• Final Mowing: Mow your lawn one last time before the first frost. Gradually lower the mower height with each mow to keep the grass short, which helps prevent mold and disease during the winter.

• Fertilize: Apply a slow-release fertilizer to nourish your lawn through the winter months. This helps the grass build up energy reserves for a quick green-up in the spring.

• Leaf Removal: Clear your lawn of any fallen leaves. Leaves can smother the grass, trapping moisture and creating an environment for mold and diseases.

4. Protect Hardscapes

Winter can be tough on patios, walkways, and driveways. Take these steps to protect your hardscapes:

• Seal Surfaces: Apply a sealant to your concrete or stone surfaces to protect them from the freeze-thaw cycles that can cause cracking and deterioration.

• Cover Outdoor Furniture: Clean and cover your outdoor furniture or store it indoors to protect it from snow and ice. Waterproof covers are ideal for protecting furniture from the elements.

• Drain Water Features: If you have fountains or ponds, drain and clean them before winter. Remove and store any pumps, filters, or other equipment that could be damaged by freezing temperatures.

5. Prepare Garden Beds

Garden beds need special attention to ensure they’re ready to bloom in the spring:

• Plant Bulbs: Fall is the perfect time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. Plant them before the ground freezes so they can establish roots over the winter.

• Cut Back Perennials: Cut back dead or dying perennials to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in the dead plant material.

• Mulch Beds: Apply a fresh layer of mulch to garden beds to protect the soil and plant roots. Mulch also helps suppress winter weeds.

6. Protect Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs can be vulnerable to winter weather, especially if they’re young or newly planted:

• Wrap Young Trees: Protect young trees by wrapping their trunks with tree wrap or burlap. This helps prevent sunscald and damage from rodents.

• Prune Dead Branches: Prune any dead or diseased branches to prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow or ice.

• Watering: Just like your other plants, make sure trees and shrubs are well-watered before the ground freezes to help them survive the winter.

Conclusion

Winterizing your landscape in Bend and Redmond, Oregon, is an essential task to ensure that your yard remains healthy and beautiful through the cold months. By protecting your plants, lawn, and outdoor features now, you’ll set the stage for a vibrant, thriving landscape in the spring. Follow these tips to give your landscape the care it needs to withstand the challenges of winter.