Preparing Plants for Winter

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Preparing Plants for Winter

7016257165 • Dec 08, 2023

When the leaves fall from the trees, and lawn mowing is a distant memory, most homeowners put their yards on the back burner until spring. However, there is a lot that can be done to assure that spring doesn’t bring some unpleasant surprises when it comes to your favorite plants due to over-wintering insects, harsh weather conditions and deer. Mead Tree & Turf Care can help with preparing your plants for winter by providing any of these solutions.

Horticultural oil is a material approved by the Organic Material Research Institute (OMRI) and poses few risks to people or most desirable species, including beneficial insects such as lady bugs. Horticultural oil works by coating the air holes through which insects breathe, causing them to die from asphyxiation and is excellent at safely controlling certain types of over-wintering pests. Armored and soft scale insects are target pests, as well as mite and aphid eggs that overwinter in cracks and crevices of woody plants. The ideal time to apply is in late fall or early spring when day-time temperature hover around 55 degrees.

Anti-desiccant sprays protect plants from excessive water loss through the leaves and soft buds. The combination of cold drying wind, fluctuating temperature from very cold to warm and sunny causes what is known as ‘winter burn.’ Plants suffering from winter burn will have brown needles or leaves. An important point is that anti-desiccants do not protect the plants from freezing. Vulnerable plants include most broadleaf evergreens and shrubs such as newly planted hollies, boxwood and southern magnolia. The spray coats the foliage, preventing moisture loss. The coating should be applied when temperatures are above freezing for at least 24 hours. The coating wears off at temperatures above 50 degrees and may need to be re-applied throughout the winter.

Deer repellent

While deer can be an issue all year round, they can cause significant damage in the winter months when food sources become scarce. There are many methods for protecting plants from hungry deer. One option is to install temporary deer fencing or to wrap trunks on smaller caliper in early October trees with plastic drain pipe, to act as a physical barrier against rubbing. This kind of barrier may be used alone or in conjunction with deer repellent sprays and bittering agents. Deer repellant sprays are often derived from predator urine such as coyote. These sprays tend to be offensive to many customers and we will often recommend a bittering agent instead. A bittering agent is sprayed on the foliar of the deer’s favorite plants. The deer may sample one of these plants but will leave it alone once they taste the product. Heavy feeding pressure requires 3 treatments. Consider planting shrubs that deer avoid such as boxwood and barberry. Here are more tips for dealing with deer issues.

Preparing your plants for winter can help assure that spring doesn’t bring disappointment from insect, weather, and deer damage.

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By 7016257165 • 02 Apr, 2024

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Getting Ready for Spring

By 7016257165 • 02 Feb, 2024

Although we are still in the throes of winter, spring officially starts next month on March 20. The next few weeks is the ideal time to start thinking about getting your yard ready for warmer weather. To give your landscape the boost it needs for a long season of healthy and attractive plants, now is a good time to have an arborist from Mead Tree & Turf Care survey your yard to assess the condition of your trees, and identify problems on your property that need to be addressed. Trees will be checked for: Dead wood, cavities, or peeling bark Signs of root decay Branches overhanging sidewalks, roofs, or overhead wires Poor structure due to multiple lead branches, rubbing branches, or weak crotches Early signs of insect infestation Trees may require pruning, cabling, lightning protection, or removal . This work can all be done in the winter , and in fact may be easier, as the branching structure is more visible before trees leaf out. Treatment for disease or insects and fertilization can be planned for spring. Beds will be checked for leaves, debris, and old mulch that requires removal. Shrubs will be checked for dead wood, signs of insects, and any that will require fertilization or pruning in early spring. This is a good time to get on our schedule for bed cleanup and mulching . Keeping your turf healthy requires work, constant vigilance, and care. Mead Tree & Turf Care can make lawn care easy with our turf care programs . Weeds and insect infestations on lawns are usually symptoms, with the real problem being an unhealthy lawn. A properly maintained and healthy lawn can withstand invasive insects and out-compete weeds for sunlight, water and soil. In addition to proper mowing and watering, reduction of disease problems in established turf is accomplished by changes in cultural practices such as fertilization, core aeration, balancing the PH, and soil testing - all services we provide. An early start to caring for your trees and lawn can resolve problems before they cause permanent damage. Call Mead Tree & Turf Care today to schedule your property inspection. We will make recommendations that allow you to enjoy a beautiful and healthy yard this spring and summer.