November is here. Autumn, ever fast and fleeting, is on its way out, and soon winter will be here in earnest. Living near Boston means this is a season of both anticipation and a little bit of dread: while the fun, festive gatherings of the holiday season await us, there are cold, snowy days on the horizon. Doing a little prep work in your yard now will make it easier to appreciate your winter garden when those days arrive.
Step One: Pick up and put away any stuff that doesn’t need to be outdoors all winter long. This includes children’s toys, any tools or materials left over from summer renovation projects, lawn furniture, barbecues and other outdoor cooking gear, bikes, kayaks, and other sporting equipment. These items can be stored in your garage, basement, or storage unit as appropriate. Getting them out of the winter weather will help protect their condition while also making moving around your yard easier and safer once snow has covered everything.
Step Two: Prep your bushes. Tender shrubs, especially those which have been newly planted, need a layer of protection against winter’s cold winds and the heavy snow. Have your Boston yard service wrap any shrubs you’re concerned about with burlap for the fall and winter season. This covering is removed again in the spring, allowing your shrubs to continue growing.
Step Three: Focus on hardy, four-season plantings. Evergreens, witch hazel, and other hardy plants can provide greenery and even a hint of color to your Boston winter garden. If you don’t have evergreens in place, they’re often available as container plantings, sometimes even pre-pruned into attractive shapes. Talk to your Boston lawn service about having these plantings brought in to serve as a focal point of your winter garden.
The winter garden has its own sparse beauty.
