Dormant Feeding of Shrubs, Young Trees, Perennials, Ground Covers – Plants have officially entered their winter dormancy stage. They are now ready to receive and fully utilize their late fall feeding. This feeding will aid them in their recovery from the any stress incurred throughout the growing season. These much-needed nutrients fortify root systems and strengthen overall health. We highly recommend ESPOMA ORGANIC’s granular fertilizers (Holly-tone, Tree-tone, Plant-tone, Bone meal, etc.) for perennials, bulbs, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Granular fertilizer can be worked into the top inch of the soil for surface feeding plants and delivered to the root zone of deeper-rooted plants by using a crowbar, wooden stake or auger to create 12” deep holes to pour the fertilizer into. Fertilizer applied now will greatly benefit the plants next spring in terms of growth, blooming, disease resistance, and general health.
Winter Protection from the Elements and Pests – Throughout the winter months, we tend to have hard freezes (ground freezes solid) and thaws, which leaves shallow-rooted and/or broad-leafed evergreen shrubs very susceptible to winter kill, or desiccation. To protect these vulnerable plants from winter damage, you can either build burlap wind barriers (especially for western and northern exposures), and/or spray all leaf surfaces with Wilt-Pruf® (anti-desiccant spray). Wilt-Pruf® acts like sunscreen with moisturizer to keep moisture inside the plant and is best applied initially in December, when the daytime temps are best for application. If we have a particularly cold/snowy winter, a follow up application may be necessary in late January or early February.
Wildlife is hard pressed for food during the winter, when foliage and tender new growth are not available in nature. As such, they can cause significant damage to valuable, vulnerable shrubs. Particular varmints include deer, field mice, squirrels, vole, etc. You can protect vulnerable plants with regular applications (every 2-4 weeks) of repellent sprays and/or granules. The Lawn Depot Garden Center offers a great selection of protective products. We’ll thoroughly explain how and when to apply. One last piece of advice, stay on top of reapplications. Even one night without protection can be detrimental.
Birds in Winter – Natural food sources have still not recovered from last year’s drought and this fall we are behind our typical average rainfall. Natural food sources and water are not as plentiful as they should be. Thus, our beautiful feathered friends need our help sooner and with a greater urgency than usual. They’re struggling to build up their winter cache (they store food in a safe place to eat later). The birds will NEED our help more than usual this winter. The good news is Lawn Depot’s Garden Center has a complete birding department all year long! We have a wide variety of feed mixes and suet cakes/balls to help you attract the birds you’ll enjoy most while you’re pent up over the next few months. In addition to that we offer window-mounted, pole-mounted, or hanging feeders, with or without squirrel deterrents, mounting stakes, shepherd hooks, bird houses and lots more. We’ve got all the birding stuff you’ll ever need available all winter long. Bird feeders and bird feeding systems make great gifts, whether for yourself or for loved ones. Come on over and take a look! Feeding the birds is fun and it’s worthwhile knowing you can make a difference. We also offer GIFT CARDS, if you prefer to let your family and friends pick out their favorite items!
Holiday Gift Shopping – From gloves to pots to hand tools to gift cards and more! We have lots of great 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! Be sure to stop by on Small Business Saturday (November 29th) to save 40% off on the entire Birding Department! This great sale on Birding is for one day only, so don’t miss it! Shop this and many other great sales on November 29th!
Lawn Depot Garden Center 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.
As the 2025 season slowly winds down, we are grateful for your patronage and the friendships we have developed over the years. It’s been our pleasure to serve the Bucks and Montgomery County communities for 50+ years. We love getting to know you, helping you attain your goals and seeing the beautiful results many of you share with us. You make what we do so rewarding. We wish all of you the very best of holidays ahead and hope you’ll visit us before and during the winter. Until spring returns igniting passion anew for your lawns and gardens, be well.