As the chill of winter arrives, don’t let it deter you from enjoying your outdoor space. With some strategic winter landscaping, you can transform your yard into an enchanting winter wonderland. Let us look at some top winter landscaping tips to enhance your outdoor space.
Hire a Professional Landscaping Service
Winter can be challenging, especially in a city like Lakewood. As per Weather Spark, snowy weather and temperatures ranging from 23°F to 87°F in the city make outdoor upkeep difficult. This is where hiring a professional service for landscaping in Lakewood, CO, becomes essential.
Expert landscapers have the tools and experience to safely clear snow from driveways, walkways, patios, and other areas after snowstorms. This ensures that these spaces remain accessible. They can also shovel snow from entryways and steps, keeping high-traffic areas clear during and after storms. Winter is an ideal time for pruning since plants are dormant. This allows landscapers to trim and shape trees, shrubs, and hedges, helping to maintain your yard’s health and appearance.
llluminate Your Yard Strategically
According to C&H Landscaping, by carefully placing soft, warm lighting around your yard, you can create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. This encourages you to bundle up and enjoy the outdoors, even on cold evenings.
Think about employing path lighting to illuminate walkways, making them safer during icy situations. You can also accentuate winter flora, such as evergreens, with understated uplighting. Additionally, you can include a hint of festive spirit by draping string lights over trees and bushes.
The Value of Evergreen Plants
Evergreen plants have many benefits in a winter garden. Not only do they provide color during the dreary winter months, but they come in a variety of hues beyond just green. Some examples include gold thread false cypress, which has a yellow tone, and dwarf blue spruce, with its blue coloration.
Barbara Pierson, nursery manager at White Flower Farm in Litchfield, told Better Homes & Gardens that evergreens also make strategic design sense. “They are especially important during winter to add visual interest when other plants have lost their foliage,” she explains. Their year-round presence allows them to serve as a focal point or anchor for the entire landscape design.
Pierson recommends incorporating at least one or two evergreen selections when planning garden beds. “I always like to use evergreens as a foundation and build plantings around them,” she says. Their structure provides a backbone to the design even when other components may not be in bloom or full foliage.
For new plantings, consider including an evergreen element to maximize its functional and aesthetic benefits throughout all seasons. Adding French style metal window boxes can also bring a touch of elegance and timeless charm to your outdoor space.
Set Up a Warm Backyard Fire
Adding a fire pit is a wonderful way to extend outdoor enjoyment into cooler weather. Gathering around an outdoor fire allows for socializing even as temperatures drop.
Fire pits come in a variety of materials, sizes, and price points. Expect to spend between $1,500-$10,000 depending on features such as construction material, diameter, and built-in seating designs. For example, a basic metal pit would cost less than an artisanal stone model with integrated benches.
When selecting a fire pit, consider how it will complement your existing outdoor spaces and house design. Choosing matching materials will help the pit feel integrated into the landscape. An appropriately sized fire pit also depends on how many people you wish to accommodate. As per Architectural Digest, circular pits generally require 3-6 feet of clear space around the edge, depending on crowd size.
Beyond the pit itself, include comfortable seating arranged nearby. Stringing soft lighting adds ambiance as darkness falls.
As for construction, above-ground pits around 12-18 inches in height work well. Taller designs allow sitting, while shorter models provide footrests. Ensure at least 7-10 feet of clearance from flames to any combustible objects as well. With the right pit and thoughtful setup, you can enjoy many evenings gathered under the stars with family and friends.
Transform Your Decor with Cold-Resistant Fall Favorites
Just because temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean your garden needs to lack color or interest. Many plant varieties thrive beautifully into the autumn months. Those living in regions with harsh winters will want to select only reliably hardy options suited to their climate.
Landscape designer Mario Nievera advises focusing on proven performers like oriental poppies and peonies. “Plants may perish if conditions become too extreme,” he told Martha Stewart. Proper planting technique makes a difference as well. It’s crucial to avoid air pockets around rootballs and ensure stable planting.
As seasons change, maintain plants by trimming away dead or dying material. Removing leaf debris prevents diseases from overwintering. Avoid watering too late in the year, as excess moisture near the first frost can damage or kill roots when frozen.
With a little preparation and by choosing hardy varieties well-suited to your area, you can easily extend the enjoyment of colorful gardens. This can be achieved even after summer’s end. Your favorite fall bloomers will come back to thrill next year with proper care.
FAQs
- Can you plant in cold weather?
A: Yes, you can still plant in cooler weather, provided the soil is workable. As long as bulbs or potted plants can be placed in the ground where roots won’t freeze, winter planting is possible. Be sure to water newly planted items routinely until the ground freezes.
- How do you amend garden soil for winter?
A: Adding a one-inch layer of either fresh or finished compost is a good way to amend soil over winter. The compost will break down, enriching the soil with organic matter. Place mulch such as wood chips or evergreen boughs over the compost to retain moisture, prevent weeds, and keep soil temperatures even.
- What provides winter greenery?
A: Plants like conifers, hollies, boxwoods, and other broadleaf evergreens stay green throughout winter. Firs, spruces, cypresses, and cedars offer soft foliage all season. Evergreens, including holly, boxwood, and eucalyptus, maintain vibrant color even in colder months. Their year-round lush presence enhances the winter landscape.
By taking some simple steps, you can create an enjoyable retreat in your outdoor space all winter long. Start by choosing strategic lighting and adding greenery with hardy evergreens. Gather around an inviting fire pit and decorate with tough fall flowers. With some smart winter landscaping, you’ll be able to appreciate the serene beauty of the snowy season. You can enjoy this from the comfort of your transforming winter wonderland backyard.
