Green Real Estate Appraiser

Winterize Your Yard – South Central

Mulch with Nature Hardwoods – To combat the arid conditions, use local hardwood barks, such as coarsely shredded cedar. These don’t pack down over time and hold moisture, which rots the plants.
Move Container Plants – Put them in an area sheltered from winter winds, such as on the patio, near the house, or beneath an evergreen tree.

For most everywhere:

Mulch Generously – Two inches of shredded bark, leaves or pine needles insulate plants and soil from the frost and winter’s drying wind and sun.
Trim Grass – Mow down to 2 1/2 to 3 inches in height before it goes dormant. Then rake thoroughly to keep bugs from building nests.
Remove Dead Leaves – In wet clumps they smother grass, shelter insects and breed disease. Mulch those on the lawn with your mower for natural fertilizer.
Rototill Veggie Gardens – Remove any remains of the past season’s crops which can become diseased. Turn up 8 inches; this exposes most destruction insects, such as grubs, and their eggs to birds and the cold.

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only.

Wrap young trees – To prevent sun scalding wrap trunks with tree tape. This water repellant paper tape insulates and reflects away the sun’s heating rays.
Extend the growing season – Set-up a cold frame made with wood or brick walls and glass or clear acrylic top in a sunny spot. Use to plant root vegetables and cold-season greens.

For most everywhere:

Mulch Generously – Two inches of shredded bark, leaves or pine needles insulate plants and soil from the frost and winter’s drying wind and sun.
Trim Grass – Mow down to 2 1/2 to 3 inches in height before it goes dormant. Then rake thoroughly to keep bugs from building nests.
Remove Dead Leaves – In wet clumps they smother grass, shelter insects and breed disease. Mulch those on the lawn with your mower for natural fertilizer.
Rototill Veggie Gardens – Remove any remains of the past season’s crops which can become diseased. Turn up 8 inches; this exposes most destruction insects, such as grubs, and their eggs to birds and the cold.

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only.

South

Switch fertilizers – Don’t stop feeding annuals and veggies when temperatures hover around freezing. Just substitute a nitrate for nitrate based fertilizer; it’s easier to absorb in cold overcast weather
Prepare fragile plants for frost – To protect camellia buds, banana shrubs and tender succulents on frosty nights, cover them before sunset with sheets or blankets. Uncover during the day, to let plants warm. And don’t use plastic – this can cook the plants.

For most everywhere:

Mulch Generously – Two inches of shredded bark, leaves or pine needles insulate plants and soil from the frost and winter’s drying wind and sun.
Trim Grass – Mow down to 2 1/2 to 3 inches in height before it goes dormant. Then rake thoroughly to keep bugs from building nests.
Remove Dead Leaves – In wet clumps they smother grass, shelter insects and breed disease. Mulch those on the lawn with your mower for natural fertilizer.
Rototill Veggie Gardens – Remove any remains of the past season’s crops which can become diseased. Turn up 8 inches; this exposes most destruction insects, such as grubs, and their eggs to birds and the cold.

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only.