As the holidays approach, many of us are getting both our homes and outdoor spaces ready for the season. For first-time homeowners, taking care of your garden in winter can seem a little daunting, but a few essential tools —a sturdy rake, pruning shears, small shovel and simple landscaping equipment—are all you need to get started. Here’s a guide to help you tidy up the yard, trim the trees, clear out leaves, and even plan a mini Christmas harvest!
Fall Lawn Care
Late fall is the perfect time to give your lawn some extra attention. As temperatures cool down, grass growth slows, but it’s still storing up nutrients to survive the winter. Taking these steps now will help your lawn come back healthier and greener in spring.
Why Care for Your Lawn Now?
During fall, your lawn can focus on root growth without the stress of summer heat or foot traffic. Fertilizing and mowing it before winter sets in gives it a nice nutrient boost for a good start in spring.
How to Do It:
Give your lawn one last mow, keeping it slightly higher than usual (around 3 inches). A winterizing fertilizer will help the roots stay strong, and overseeding any bare spots will create a denser, healthier lawn. If you live in a frosty region, aim to finish up before the ground hardens.
Late Fall Tree Trimming
Tree trimming often gets overlooked, but pruning in late fall keeps trees healthy, well-shaped, and protected from winter damage.
Why Prune in Late Fall?
Trees are entering dormancy in late autumn, which makes it the best time to prune without stimulating new growth. Plus, removing weak or dead branches now helps protect your home and yard from winter storm or snow damage.
How to Do It:
Start with any dead, diseased, or broken branches. Open up the tree’s canopy a bit to improve light and air circulation, which also helps prevent disease. Don’t remove more than 25% of the branches at once—focusing on the small, weak branches is plenty. Use sharp pruning shears for smaller branches and a pruning saw for larger ones.
Planning a Christmas Harvest
Believe it or not, you can still plant a few crops in late fall and have fresh, home-grown produce for Christmas. Cold-hardy options like leafy greens, radishes, and even garlic greens can be ready in just a few weeks, adding a fresh touch to your holiday table.
Leafy Greens
Fast-growing greens like spinach, lettuce, and arugula thrive in cooler weather and can be ready in 30 days. Plant them in the ground or in containers you can bring inside if frost hits. Pick the outer leaves regularly to keep your plants producing right through the season.
Radishes
Radishes are quick to mature—usually within 25-30 days—making them perfect for adding a fresh crunch to holiday dishes. Plant seeds about an inch apart in the soil, keep them watered, and harvest when they’re small and tender for the best flavor.
Carrots
If you start them early enough, carrots can be ready by Christmas, especially faster-growing varieties like “Nantes” or “Chantenay.” Plant in loose, well-drained soil and keep them moist. Cool weather actually sweetens the flavor of carrots, making them a winter treat!
Garlic Greens While garlic bulbs need a long growing season, you can grow garlic greens in just a few weeks. Plant individual garlic cloves in a raised bed about an inch deep, spaced a few inches apart. Snip the tops to add a mild garlic flavor to holiday dishes.
By prepping your garden now, you’ll protect it from the elements and set it up for a healthy start in spring. Lawn care, tree trimming, and leaf clean-up may seem like simple tasks, but they make a big difference. And with a little planning, you can enjoy fresh, home-grown flavors from your garden this Christmas. For first-time homeowners, these steps are a great intro to seasonal garden care—helping you create a space that looks great and grow tasty produce all year long!
Happy Gardening!
Karen
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