How to Prepare Your Lawn and Landscape for Buffalo’s Harsh Winters

Step 1: Clean Up Before the Snow Falls

The lawn care services in Buffalo, NY facilitate snow removal services bringing back your lawn to its original sophistication. You might be wondering if the snow is gonna bury those heaps of leaves from late October eventually, then what’s the point, but here’s the catch: letting these leaves pile up may worsen the scenario for your lawn and landscape in the latter part.

This is because those heaps will choke out the plants by trapping moisture followed by growing moulds. You can make use of a leaf bowler to clear the mess. This will otherwise create hindrances during snowplowing services, and impact the environment negatively.

Step 2: Mow Smart and Fertilize Right

Trim the grassroots a little up to 2-2.5 inches to discourage matting under snow. It is essential to fertilize the grassroots with a high-potassium blend gradually. As the decomposition of the leaves takes place in late fall, it makes the right time to disperse your fall fertilizer along the lawn.

Check with a local garden center to implement the perfect formula, suited to New York’s climate and soil type. The right solution will handle the deep freeze. This is a crucial step towards lawn care in Buffalo, NY. Following Buffalo’s harsh cold, this step can have a major impact on seasonal landscaping.

Step 3: Protect Trees and Shrubs

Buffalo winters pose a serious threat to the habitat of plants and shrubs. It tends to snap branches and dry them out through wicked wind. To protect small shrubs and young trees, it is advisable to wrap them in a burlap. This will help them to remain intact despite snow trying to weigh them down. With fragile perennials, sprinkle some mulch to add protective layering.

The plastic trunk guards help to stay rooted to the ground and a strong defence against cracks and nibbling critters. Straw or shredded bark serves as a cozy blanket to lock the warmth from freezing in extreme snow. These winter landscaping tips can help to maintain the sanity of your lawns and landscape during tough winters.

Step 4: Tackle Soil and Drainage

Poor drainage and compact soil can significantly impact the soil quality in winter. Waterlogged areas can suffer an adverse effect of refreezing and melting snow. To prevent this, it is crucial to aerate your lawn to improve the airflow and water penetration into the ground.

This will prevent the ground from freezing solid. Core aerators have proven to be an effective tool to facilitate this. However, you can also get it on rent, in case of unavailability. If your lawn has spots fostering water pools, then it is advisable to consider adding a french drain to facilitate a well-maintained drainage system. Good drainage is a cornerstone of lawn care in Buffalo, NY

Step 5: Plan for Snow and Ice Management

Snow removal becomes non-negotiable in times of winter in Buffalo, NY. However, careless piling of snow can lead to a greater pile of issues in lawns and landscapes. This is where snowplowing services become your friend in need. The professionals are trained to treat snow using efficient techniques. They know where to push the snow and how to manage it effectively. However, if you are planning to use DIY methods, then a snow blower and a sturdy shovel can come in handy to push the snow.

Step 6: Winterize Your Equipment

Treat your trimmer, lawn mower, and other snow removal tools with some TLC. To keep the engine in optimal condition, add a fuel stabilizer and drain the gas tanks thoroughly.

Do not forget to sharpen the blades to welcome spring. Once the preparation is done, store this equipment in a garage or under the dry shed to avoid rust. A little maintenance would aid in combating the winter effectively without going through last-moment mental stress.

Step 7: Think Ahead with Seasonal Landscaping

Winter preparation is not just about surviving it but also thriving in spring. Seasonal landscaping in Buffalo, NY is all about rooting for plants that can withstand the test of winter. Native species like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and red osier are the ones that need less coddling and are well-suited to thrive in this harsh winter of Buffalo.