Rake up and remove fruit and leaves from all lawn areas regularly where insect and disease

problems will quickly occur. Reference Tips for October.

Water evergreens thoroughly before the ground freezes if dry. This will help limit damage from winter burn.

Protect woody ornamentals from rabbit, racoon, deer, etc., damage in the winter by enclosing them in a circle of chicken wire or hardware cloth. Some plants, which are favored by rabbits in the winter include: small common witch hazel, burning bush, flowering quince, smaller Korean or Japanese maple and Canadian hemlock.

When you mow your lawn, probably for the last time, drop your mowing height 1/2". At least the first mowing of the season should also be at this height.

If you have an automated irrigation system, the system should be closed down for the season to include flushing all the lines to remove any water.  This will help prevent any cracked lines or separated fittings due to freezing temperatures.  Hose bibs should be covered at the very least with newspaper and a plastic bag to avoid faucets from freezing.

Younger arborvitae with multiple trunks should be loosely tied together with old pantyhose. Pantyhose are less noticeable in color, provide some flexibility and will deteriorate if not removed as they should be in spring.

Perennials planted late in the year or new plantings of evergreen ground covers such as: vinca, pachysandra and wintercreeper, can benefit from having evergreen boughs placed over them after the ground freezes.

In any endeavor, quality comes from careful planning. If you are in need of a professional landscape design, this is a great time to schedule an appointment with Back 2 Green. During this more relaxed time of the year, can take a little more time with the design process. This also allows you, the client, more time to make your decisions.

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