West Chester Lifestyle E-Newsletter

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Top Tips to Winterize Your Home

How to Protect Your Property from the Elements

Winter weather is on the way, bringing with it the chances of severe winter storms, freezing ice, and subzero temperatures.

Unrelenting rain and snow can wreak havoc on the health of your trees and plants. That’s why it’s essential to take the time to protect them today can make a huge difference in keeping them safe and healthy for the coming spring.

“Right now is the ideal time to winterize your lawn,” says Chris DiSabatino, President of DiSabatino Landscaping. “It only takes one weekend to protect your home for the coming months.”

Provide Plenty of Water

Water your plants. Even now, they need hydration to develop the deep roots needed to survive the winter. Evergreen trees do not shut down in cold weather. Keep watering them until the temperatures are freezing.

Nourish Your Property

Mulching adds another layer of protection for trees and plants. It helps plants bloom stronger and brighter as soon as spring arrives. Aerate and overseed your lawn to give it breathing room as it transitions into the cold season. This also helps water and nutrients reach the soil quickly and easily.

Cover Vulnerable Plants

If you need to protect less hardy plants, you can bring them inside or cover them with burlap. Newly planted trees and shrubs should also be covered. Frost cloths are also available for purchase at a garden store. Annuals are meant to die each year, so you don’t need to cover them.

Selectively Edit Your Surroundings

Flush out your hoses and gutters to clear out clutter. Winterize any water features so ice doesn’t freeze in pipes. Prune and cut back trees and shrubs to protect from breakage due to heavy snow and wind. Perennial flowers need to be trimmed before the winter season. This helps them conserve energy and protect their root system. Evergreens, ornamental grasses, and a few other plants can be left alone. 

Take the time and effort now to protect your investment. It will also help make spring cleanup easier once the cold season ends.