This time of year those of us living in Calgary are transitioning into the long winter months and those of us who own a house or a commercial property are thinking about preparing our lawn and garden for the cold and frost, especially considering the water restrictions we had this summer. We like our lawns to be nice and would like to ensure they emerge healthy and vibrant in the spring.
By taking a few key steps, you can protect your plants and lawn from frost damage, preserve soil health, and make sure everything thrives when the snow melts. Here’s how to get started:
How to Prepare a Garden for Winter
1. Clean Up Debris
Before the first frost hits, clean up fallen leaves, dead plants, and other debris from your garden beds. This helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in the soil. Generally, a tidy garden will fare better during winter.
2. Prune Perennials and Shrubs
Trim back perennials and cut off dead or diseased branches from shrubs. Focus on plants that need minimal winter care, such as roses or flowering perennials. Be careful not to over-prune, as some plants need extra foliage to protect against frost.
3. Add a Layer of Mulch
Apply mulch around the base of plants and over flower beds to insulate the soil. Mulch helps to regulate soil temperature, reduce moisture loss, and protect roots from extreme cold. In Calgary’s climate, a thick layer of straw, shredded leaves, or bark mulch works well.
4. Protect Vulnerable Plants
If you have tender plants or newly planted trees, consider covering them with burlap or frost blankets. This added layer of protection can prevent freeze damage during Calgary’s unpredictable cold snaps. Use stakes to hold coverings above delicate branches to avoid breakage.
5. Watering Before the Freeze
Give your garden one last deep watering before the ground freezes. Hydrated soil freezes slower and retains warmth better, which can protect plant roots. Make sure you do this when there is no water restriction in the city otherwise you could face a hefty fine and a critical look from your neighbours.
How to Prepare Your Lawn for Winter
1. 
Aerate the Soil
Do you regularly aerate your lawn? If not, it’s never too late to start. Aeration is key to allowing water, nutrients, and oxygen to penetrate deeply into your lawn’s roots. Calgary’s soil can become compacted over the summer months, so use a core aerator to loosen it up before winter sets in. Or you could call a landscaping company in Calgary to help out with that.
2. Fertilize in the Fall
Apply a slow-release, winter-specific fertilizer in the fall to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to survive the winter. A high-potassium lawn fertilizer is especially beneficial for strengthening the grass, helping it recover in the spring.
3. Mow One Last Time
Give your lawn a final cut before winter. Set your mower to a slightly higher height to prevent the grass from being too short. Longer grass helps protect the roots and crowns during the cold months, but it shouldn’t be so long that it matts down under the snow.
4. Remove Leaves and Debris
Keep your lawn free of fallen leaves and debris as winter approaches. Debris left on the lawn can suffocate the grass, creating patches of dead grass that will need to be repaired in the spring. Regular raking and a last thorough raking ensures your lawn breathes throughout the winter.
5. Winterize Your Irrigation System
Drain and blow out your irrigation system (if you have one) to prevent pipes from freezing and cracking. This simple step can save you costly repairs when the snow melts and it’s time to water your lawn again.
By taking these proactive steps to prepare your lawn and garden for winter in Calgary, you can help ensure that both are healthy and ready to thrive in the spring. Calgary’s climate can be unpredictable, with sudden freezes and heavy snowfalls, but with proper winter preparation, your outdoor space will emerge strong and beautiful when the warm weather returns.
Contact us for any lawn care work or snow removal
you need help with!
We are ready to help.