Dormant Pruning of Trees and Shrubs, Cutting Back of Perennials – Now that the plants are dormant for the winter, it’s a great time to do any pruning that you need to do to shape or manage the growth of trees and shrubs, and to cut perennials back, if you prefer doing it at the end of this season rather than early next spring. Perennials send new growth up from their bases each spring, so all of this year’s growth should be removed before next year’s growth begins. It is now also safe to dig (for transplanting) any young trees or shrubs. They are dormant, and thus will suffer little or no transplant shock. Be sure to get plenty of root if you’re digging up established plants; roots tend to roam wider in nature than in a growing nursery and you need to be sure to get enough of a root ball for the plant(s) to survive and reacclimate with little to no affect from the transplanting.
Dormant Feeding of Shrubs, Young Trees, Perennials, Ground Covers – The killing frost/freeze (temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below) puts all of nature (other than cool season grasses) into winter dormancy. Feeding dormant plants increases root density and improves blooms and growth for the coming growing season. All dormant fertilizing must be done with either granular fertilizers (Espoma’s HOLLY-TONE, EVERGREEN-TONE, PLANT-TONE, BONE MEAL, etc.) or formed fertilizer spikes, which are driven 12” to 15” into the ground just slightly outside the drip lines of the plants, using 3 fertilizer spikes for each 2” of trunk caliper 3’ above ground.
Winter Protection from the Elements and Pests – In the winter, when the ground is frozen, broadleaf evergreens (azaleas, rhododendron, etc.) are susceptible to wind burn (desiccation) from cold northern winds that take moisture from leaves that cannot be replaced from frozen soil. There are two ways to keep your valuable plants from succumbing to this fate. The first is with WILT STOP or WILT PRUF (an anti-desiccant spray), which acts like a sunscreen with moisturizer to keep moisture inside the plant. The second is burlap , it blocks wind and helps prevent sun scald. Burlap also has a secondary function, particularly when there’s snow on the ground, as it protects from deer and other animals feeding on and damaging plants. Another way to keep deer and other critters at bay is with regular and repeated applications of deer and animal repellent granules or sprays. The garden center has a wide variety of protective/repellent products. Come in and discuss your situation with our friendly staff for information to get you started. You can protect all of your valuable shrubs from both the critters and the elements.
Birds in Winter – Along with the deer and other critters in nature, winter is also difficult on the birds we all enjoy all year, particularly when the ground is snow-covered. Lawn Depot has a huge variety of bird feeders and the supporting hangers, platforms, and mounting equipment. We also have lots of types of wild bird seed mixes, along with suet cakes, sunflower and safflower seeds, Nyjer seed for the finches, Zero waste mixes for patios and decks, and many types of squirrel baffles and guards. We’re open all winter, for when your supplies run low and we offer lots of gift choices for those who know someone who enjoys feeding the birds as we do. Come on in and check us out.
Holiday Gift Shopping – From gloves to pots to hand tools to gift cards and more! We have lots of good stuff for your shopping enjoyment. Make us one of your holiday gift shopping stops this year! Whether you decide our merchandise fits your needs or not, remember to support your local small businesses this holiday season. It really does matter!
Lawn Depot Gift Cards – For those of you searching for the perfect gift for the lawn, garden, bird or backyard enthusiast in your life, look no further!! We will be happy to issue a gift card in whatever amount you desire and our gift cards never expire. What could be better than a Lawn Depot Gift Card!
Email newsletter and notifications sign up – For any of you who would like to keep abreast of our garden center winter promotions, please call us or visit our website at www.lawndepotinc.com and select the Contact Us tab to submit your request to be added to our email list.
Thank you – Once again, we humbly thank all our loyal friends and customers for your patronage and friendship. We’ve been at doing this for 50 years now and we still enjoy it every single day. All of us at The Lawn Depot wish all of you a healthy winter season and lots of good times with loved ones over the holidays. And, we’ll be looking forward to seeing you all at least a time or two before 2023 is behind us.