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When you look at your landscape during the winter months, you might think there’s not much happening out there. The grass isn’t growing. The trees are bare. And nothing is in bloom. But the lack of growth and color can be deceiving.
Winter is a critical season in the life of your landscaping. It is a time for things to rest, recharge, and prepare for new growth in the spring. And while your landscaping slows down, it gives your landscape management team time to catch up on non-routine tasks, and ensure your plants, shrubs, lawns, and trees are ready for their seasons of growth.
Pruning and mulching are two of the most critical tasks we undertake at this time of year. Many shrubs and bushes require annual hard pruning. That’s where we remove most of the foliage and minor branches to promote healthy growth in the months to come. Roses especially benefit from this, and it’s what leads to a springtime explosion of blooms and color. At Stay Green, we give special care to hard pruning. It is always done by hand – never with a machine – to protect the plants and avoid unnecessary damage.
A thick covering of mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, and provides insulation for plants during cold temperatures. We recycle our lawn, shrub and tree cuttings to make our own mulch. As the organic material breaks down, it provides the nutrients needed to ensure robust spring growth.
Trees also need attention in the winter months. It is the ideal time for trimming because they are dormant. Removing limbs that are growing over buildings or power lines before they can be blown down by strong winds is a top priority for us.
Other common tree maintenance tasks include removing stakes from healthy trees mature enough to stand on their own. Skirting, or removing low-hanging branches, improves air circulation through the canopy. It also prevents pest infestation by removing branches that touch the ground and provide a path for insects to access the tree.
Believe it or not, weed control begins long before the first shoots start popping up after being watered by winter rains. The seeds are in the ground now, and will germinate after receiving sufficient moisture. However, applying pre-emergent herbicide stops weeds before they sprout, keeping planters, hillsides, and other areas weed-free. That must be done now for the treatment to be effective.
In Santa Clarita, applying pre-emergent weed control can be effective in guarding against wildfires. Stopping weeds and grasses before they grow on hillsides – and later die out and become fuel – is a time-saving and cost-effective alternative to summer brush removal.
Another important task we accomplish during the slower winter season is drainage system maintenance. Our crews visually inspect v-ditches and remove any debris that could be collected in a drain and cause a blockage. They will also inspect drains to be sure they are free from obstructions, and clean them as necessary. Like the rain gutters on your house, v-ditches and drains must be regularly maintained to ensure they remove water as intended. Neglecting these tasks can lead to damaging erosion, or even flooding.
Your grass, trees, plants, and shrubs might be resting this winter, but we’re not. At Stay Green, we’re hard at work year-round to keep your property looking its best.
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