Prepping Your Yard for Winter: Protecting Grass, Trees, and Gardens

Maine winters are beautiful — but they can be tough on your lawn, trees, and gardens. From heavy snow to freezing winds, your yard needs protection to stay healthy. With the right fall cleanup and winter yard prep, you’ll set your property up for a strong comeback in spring.

🌱 Protecting Your Lawn in Maine

• Final Mow for Healthy Grass – Before winter arrives, mow your lawn down to about 2.5–3 inches. This prevents matting under snow and protects roots.

• Fall Aeration & Fertilization – Aerating in the fall allows nutrients and water to reach the roots. Pair it with a slow-release fertilizer to feed your lawn through the winter.

• Leaf Cleanup in Bangor, ME – Don’t let leaves smother your grass. Rake or mulch them so your lawn can breathe all season long.

🌳 Winter Care for Trees and Shrubs

• Tree Wrapping – Protect young or delicate trees from deer damage and sunscald with burlap or tree wrap.

• Pruning Before Snow – Remove weak or damaged branches to prevent breakage under heavy snow loads.

• Mulching for Insulation – Add a layer of mulch around tree and shrub bases to lock in moisture and guard against deep freezes.

🌸 Winterizing Maine Gardens

• Garden Bed Cleanup – Pull dead annuals, weeds, and debris to keep pests and fungi from overwintering.

• Mulching Perennials – Cover perennials with straw, leaves, or mulch to shield roots from frost.

• Covering Delicate Plants – Roses, hydrangeas, and other sensitive plants benefit from burlap wraps or frost cloth.

❄️ Smart Snow Strategy

When snow piles up, avoid pushing it onto garden beds or directly around tree trunks. Overloading roots and compacting soil can slow spring recovery.

✅ Final Word

With proper winter yard preparation, your lawn, trees, and gardens can thrive in the spring. Taking the time for fall cleanup services now protects your curb appeal and saves money on costly repairs later.

Don’t want to handle it all yourself? Gavin’s Lawn Care provides aeration, leaf cleanup, tree and shrub protection, and full winter prep services in Bangor, Maine and surrounding towns.

📞 Call us at (207) 745-4237 or 📧 email [email protected] to book your fall and winter lawn care services today!