It's Time to Feed, Plant and Mulch

It’s Time to Feed, Plant and Mulch

By Ann Thelen

As the temperatures start to dip in Iowa, it’s the perfect time to get your lawn and landscape ready for nature’s winter slumber. The experts at Earl May Nursery & Garden Center offer these five tips to beautify your property while protecting trees, shrubs and turf from winter’s harsh elements.

1. Plant Now for Warm-Weather Beauty

Fall is the ideal time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Planting now is easier on the plants as they set roots in the fall. They will be more established by next spring and summer and will be easier to maintain through Iowa’s hot summer. Protect trees and shrubs from deer and rabbits by using fencing or animal repellents.

2. Wrap Young Trees

All young trees without “true” bark should be wrapped during the winter months. True bark is the traditional corky-looking bark. Young trees lack this natural protection and are susceptible to injury from animals and especially sunscald. Sunscald refers to the injury of living cells inside the tree’s outer bark and usually results in discoloration and cracking of the bark. Sunscald will typically happen in late winter on the southwest side of the trunk and is caused by the fluctuations in day-to-night temperatures. Tree wrap can reduce these temperature fluctuations. Red Maples are especially vulnerable to sunscald.

3. Add More Mulch

If mulch around your landscape has settled or washed away during the year, reapply it in the fall. Mulch acts as insulation, protecting plants from frost heave and extreme temperatures. It also helps evergreens conserve soil moisture as extended periods of frozen soil will lead to severe winter burn. Mulch plants at a two to three-inch depth.

4. Feed the Turf

Apply lawn food at about the time of your last mowing. The winterizing process is essential as the turf is storing foods for next year. Turf experts say this is the most important time to fertilize a lawn.

5. Protect Against Harsh Elements

Once temperatures drop below freezing, avoid walking or driving on frozen lawns to prevent damage to the turf. Avoid using ice melt high in sodium chloride (salt). This can cause damage to lawns and plantings where snow and ice are allowed to pile or from melting runoff.