Late Fall Leading to Winter

Late fall is so busy, so much to do! If you’re a sports fan, there’s always something going on, every weekend and several weeknights. Shopping for seasonal holidays is on the minds of many people. Friends and family gather to play games in the cold evenings or tell stories, or just to be together. The weather! The almanac has predicted weather that is mixed up, several sunny days in a row, followed by two or three days of snow showers. This alternating weather goes on for most of the fall and into the early winter before settling down to snow and cold for most of Kansas. And let us not forget the winds! Kansas is one of the plains states, very flat, very encouraging to long sweeps of strong winds, and sometimes tornados. However, the world has a problem that complicates forecasting this year: global warming, which reduces rain and other precipitation for Kansas and other places. So, where we used to be able to count on two or three inches of rain and snow per month, now we may see as little as half an inch per month during the fall and winter. Planning your lawns and landscape will be difficult in light of the changes in weather and precipitation. However, your partner in your landscaping, Divine Lawns, can help you work ahead and plan what will work with the predicted weather. Winterizing your lawn and garden is very straightforward: rake, aerate, mulch, empty water out of hoses and pipes, and irrigation. Next, store the bulbs that need to be stored, harvest the fruit, and store them in a cool, dry place. One other thing. Your lawn and yard may need more clean-up than you might expect. The long sweeps of uninterrupted winds can carry all kinds of trash and debris with it. When they reach a barrier, these items will stop, such as a fence, hedge, or garden wall. These pesky things will need to be raked up and disposed of, probably several times during the fall and early winter. Since the amount and type of precipitation are so uncertain, you may want to cover up some of your shrubs and plants. Most plants winter pretty well once there’s a blanket of snow over them, any more than about six inches of snow. This is because the snow itself insulates the ground and plants from damage while frozen. But, again, we don’t know if we can count on much snow this winter, so covering things, insulating them somewhat from the cold and ice, might be our best option. But, again, your Divine Lawns landscaping partners can advise you about what might need covering and even do that job for you. There are some alternatives to keep your garden going throughout the winter months. Have you considered a greenhouse? Your landscaping partners, Divine Lawns, could advise you about what to build and give you advice about size and materials. You could have your warm and beautiful place to escape to while the winter winds and snow howl around you. There are so many types and sizes available if you’re building a new greenhouse. Or you could let your creativity loose and look for recycled materials for the building. There’s one in California that was put together of used windows! The windows were found items, usually in builder trash heaps, or the waste of remodeling. They were pieced together like a patchwork building. The only new piece was the door. You might also consider joining a co-operative greenhouse. These tend to be large affairs, but you would be getting to know some very well-informed and talented people on your first experiences with a greenhouse. Then, when it comes time to build your own, that experience could help a lot. Have you thought about putting in an herb garden or herbaceous borders? If you like fresh herbs for cooking, having the herbs grow nearby is a definite plus. Imagine yourself picking your basil, thyme, or even lavender, to season and healthily enhance your meals. Spring won’t be so very far away. The bulbs you packed away so carefully will be ready for a new home in the soil, with new flowers and green leaves. A few bulbs also do well during the winter, buried in the ground with a thick layer of mulch over them. They grow as the weather grows warmer, and you suddenly have green peeping out, along with stalks reaching skyward before exploding with beautiful color. Once the ground thaws, it will be time to plant the stored bulbs. Each bulb will have to be inspected and planted after being stored for the winter. The combination of winter bulbs and stored bulbs will be a stunning show of color and beauty. The lawn can use some winter attention, as well. For example, an extra seeding as the snow starts to melt and the ground thaws could help with any patchiness in your lawn. Seed is sprinkled on top of the melting snow; the meltwater carries the seeds through the turf and into the soil beneath – where you aerated and cored while preparing the lawn for winter. Any of your choices will be the right ones for you. Many people enjoy planning their gardens and future changes during the winter months. Consulting your landscape professionals at Divine Lawns will help things go smoothly when it comes time to plant, reseed, and reawaken your garden and grass. Their experts are ready to advise and implement your plans for your garden and lawns. Making changes to the care and maintenance of your lawns and gardens will include your thoughts. It’s always challenging to decide to do new things, and with a garden and lawn, there are always new things to do or something to try, or changes to be made. Each change has to be considered carefully, not only to enhance the beauty of your garden but also to enhance the environment. We will help make your lawn more than okay, but Divine!