Happy Fall from the Landscape Architecture Team at Redland! As winter approaches, it’s time to winterize your outdoor space and protect it from the upcoming cold. Start by blowing out your irrigation system to avoid frozen pipes and allow some of those fallen leaves to remain as natural mulch to nourish the soil and insulate roots. Generally, it’s recommended in colder climates – such as Colorado – to completely drain your backflow preventer. If you do that, insulation is not necessary. Insulation can be used in the spring and fall to limit damage early and late in the season if freezing temps hit before the system is winterized.

Give your landscape one last deep watering before the ground freezes, and wrap the trunks of young trees to protect them from winter sunscald. For sensitive plants, add extra mulch or coverings to shield them from harsh conditions.

Wondering about newly installed plants? In Colorado, it’s essential to water them during the winter—especially trees, shrubs, and perennials—since they can dry out in the arid climate, even while dormant. Water only when temperatures exceed 40°F, aiming to keep the soil moist to a depth of about 12 inches by using a hose or watering bag to target the root zone, and add mulch to help retain moisture.

These simple steps will keep your landscape healthy and ready for a vibrant spring!