All the Things You Need to Do Before First Frost in Wichita, KS
We’re at the height of summer right now where most peoples’ concerns for their landscaping has more to do with pest control, how to deal with excessive heat, and keeping their foliage and fauna properly watered. To even think about cold weather right now seems a little premature now that we’re constantly seeing hot temps, but fall has a way of sneaking up on us. Before you know it, the weather is going to shift as will the colors of the leaves. It’ll gradually start to get colder next month until we eventually hit the dreaded first frost in late October/early November.
As one of the most experienced landscaping companies in Wichita, KS, we can tell you that it’s always better to have your landscaping prepared early rather than late. The best way to do that is to make all your preparations during the fall when things are nice and mild. That way you have time on your side and have plenty of wiggle room when it comes to getting your landscaping affairs in order. To help you out, we’re giving you our list of the top three winterization tips for you to use before the first frost hits.
Tip #1 – Fall Lawncare
With the weather cooling off in the fall, that means some adjustments need to be made to prep your lawn for the cold winter season. If you have what’s known as “cool season grass” which grows faster in the spring/fall compared to the summer, now is the perfect time to mow it short and fertilize it. The fertilization will promote additional growth, which pays off later down the line. Well after the first frost, your lawn will still have a nice and lush look to it. A few additional tips to abide by when it comes to fall lawn care:
Complete two fall fertilizations for maximum growth. Perform one in September and then another one in mid-to-late November.
Be diligent about raking your leaves. Not doing so will deprive your lawn of valuable nutrients, oxygen, and light. Do your lawn a favor and make sure it’s leaf-free so it can thrive.
Continue watering during the fall. Some people let up on this once the dry summer months or over, but your lawn will benefit greatly if you continue to water it in September and October. Of course, if you’re getting a lot of rain in your area, you won’t need to do this on a regular basis.
Pull all weeds. Do this now while the weather is mild and there’s a reduced chance they’ll crop back up next spring.
Tip #2 – Caring for Plants
Your first order of business when it comes to plant care is to cut the dead growth off of any of your perennials (plants that live for two years or more). This pruning will come in handy later when it’s time for them to regrow in the spring. For annuals (plants that live a year or less), you can pull those once you start to see signs of decay in them. They’re not going to grow back, so you can pull those at your discretion.
You’ll want to cover flower beds and the bases of all your trees with either mulch, dead leaves, or compost. For additional protection against cold weather and freezing, you can upgrade to a nutrient-rich mulch.
Finally, any potted plants or flowers that you currently have outside should be moved back into the safety of indoors before the cold weather hits.
Tip #3 – Don’t Forget Your House and Appliances
The same way the weather's going to affect your yard, plants, and trees, it’s going to affect your house, outdoor features, and appliances as well. In order to prepare, make sure that major outdoor appliances such as grilles, fire pits, and outdoor stoves are properly covered and/or put away when not in use. If you have water features such as ponds or waterfalls that circulate water, make sure those are properly winterized before the first frost. The team at Meadowlark Landscape & Design can assist you with that.
Finally, make sure all your gutters are cleared of debris and leaves. The last thing you want during a rain or snowstorm is a bunch of leaves clogging up your gutter and inhibiting the flow of water. That may potentially harm your house or landscaping if you’re not careful.
Contact the Team at Meadowlark Landscape & Design for All Your Winterization Needs
We’ve provided a pretty hefty to-do list when it comes to the proper steps to take to ensure your house and landscaping are ready when the first frost rolls around. All things considered, it’s a pretty big job that might take one person a lot of time and effort to do. If winterizing your property seems a bit overwhelming – not to worry – the team at Meadowlark Landscape & Design is happy to do the heavy lifting for you. We have years of experience with lawn service in Wichita, KS, and will be happy to help you get things ready for colder temps.
Simply contact us at (316) 880-0227 or email us directly at info@meadowlarklawn.com and let our team know you’re interested in prepping your property for winter.
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