1. MULCH

With the cold snow and ice, plants have a harder time avoiding the harsh elements. When this happens, they have a harder time recovering in the spring. To prevent this from happening, you should protect your plants and keep everything warm by adding mulch under and around the plants. This will help keep the root temperature stable. Mulch should be put down at the beginning on December as it will allow it to settle in and start protecting the plants before significant cold snaps happen.

2. COMPOST

Some people neglect their garden in the winter as they feel as the plants do not require any protection or care. This is the farthest from the truth. If you’re a serious gardener and want your plants to thrive, you should add compost. When adding this at the right time, it will supply nutrients to the soil and plants will grow faster! Ideally when adding compost, you should only put about three inches worth around the plants so it allows them to breathe and grow.

3. WATER

Before the freezing temperatures, you should water your plants… especially the annuals and potted plants. You should make sure to water their roots and above ground shoots. By doing this before a cold storm, you are able to protect your plants and ensure that they look good throughout the winter.

4. EXTRA PROTECTION

Container plants should be covered with a frost cloth or a protective blanket. To keep the potted plants warm, you can also set them near the foundation of the house as it is warmer than the rest of the yard. However, during severe storms, you should bring your plants inside the house or garage.

5. CONTINUE

Is the ground soft enough to dig a big hole? Then you should continue to plant. This will allow a person to continue to improve the yard and complete the job before spring! This is especially beneficial for climates where it does not get extremely cold. This might not work for gardeners in the northern states; however people living in the south or the west coast can continue to put new items into the garden most of the year.

6. ANIMALS

In some areas, animals will try to eat your plants as they have no other choice. This might not be problematic for a gardener living in an urban environment, but it will be for people who live in the country. To prevent this from happening and to protect the plants, you can place a barrier around the edge of the garden. Remember that in the colder months, animals will snap and eat plants.

7. LOCATION

When you plant your plants, you should try to place them facing north. When they’re exposed to the north, they will receive more sunlight and a greater temperature variation. For a new plant, this is crucial as it will prevent damage and allow it to thrive when it gets enough sunlight. This is one of the most important yet easiest winter gardening tip to follow.

8. CAREFUL

When you’re using salt or other substances on your driveway or street, a gardener should be very careful. Plants will suffer from a bad PH balance when salts from the road seep into the garden. To prevent this from happening, a homeowner should lay down salt slowly and methodically when around the garden or plants.

9. CHOOSE CAREFULLY

When you are planting in and right before the winter, you should be aware of which plants will thrive and which won’t. You should do research that includes looking into your specific region. If you follow this tip, you can have a successful winter landscaping setup.

10. FERTILIZE OFTEN

Plants will suffer from the cold during the winter, which is hard to prevent, but by fertilizing the plants regularly, it can give them a fighting chance. With the right fertilizer, a person can strengthen the plants. This is incredibly important as some shrubs won’t survive without adequate nutrients and care.

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• Mulching is super important! Be sure to mulch new and existing trees and shrubs with two or more inches of top quality shredded pine mulch to help protect the roots from deep freezing.
• Pick plant materials that are winter-hardy and adapt to your climate zone.
• Protect your landscaping plants by adding a fence or a hedge of shrubs to offer protection from cold winds!
• Fall clean-up is not something you should forget about. Unraked leaves will prevent moisture from reaching roots and sunlight from reaching the glass blades.
• Water your plants and trees at the root level when the temperatures rise above freezing. Avoid getting the stems or leaves wet if at all possible.
• Protect new tree trunks by wrapping them with a commercial tree wrap.
• Shield plants from hungry rodents, rabbits or deer. Creatures like this can cause serious damage to your landscape.
• Refrain from knocking the snow off your shrubs or tree limbs. They will be frozen, fragile and can break easily. Snow acts as an insulating protection blanket for perennial gardens and leaves.

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1. Get a snow removal estimate that matches your needs.

Each company offers a variety of prices and services. Make sure you do your research to make sure you find a company that is offering what you need for an affordable price. Do not forget to ask about special fees – especially those based on unique conditions such as deep snow, or additional services such as de-icing or detailing.

2. Ask for references and check for accreditation.

Make sure that the company you hire is reliable, insured, and has a reputation for offering excellent customer service. Even though large commercial companies may have great reputations, it is not a bad idea to check references to make sure that you receive the most exceptional services. You should also ensure that the company is committed to safe operating practices by checking their company safety record.

3. Ensure clear communication and clear contracts.

Whenever you hire a contractor or sign a written agreement, you will want to carefully review all contracts to make sure all the services you have discussed are included and priced appropriately. Look to see how the company will document work in progress and what contingency plans they have in place for if problems were to arise. You should feel comfortable with the company you have hired and should know the best way to contact them.

4. Hire a Risk Manager, not just a snow plow company.

Consider the level of service that you need and make sure that the company can provide those services. Does the company you are considering include a zero tolerance ice management if that’s one of your goals? Do they treat sidewalks and parking lots before it snows to stay ahead of the storm? You want to ensure that the company you hire has a plan and is prepared for every possible winter condition.

5. Make sure that the snow removal company is insured.

A low cost snow plow option might be tempting, but companies that have adequate insurance can cost more than those without. Just as you make sure your business has proper insurance coverage, make sure your commercial snow removal company does as well. The risks associated with snow and ice are very high and not worth taking the added risk of a lower cost contractor.

6. Know your snow and ice contactor’s emergency snow removal plan.

The best snow and ice contractors have a detailed plan set in place for an assortment of snow and ice events. They have specific steps planned for a light snow fall, a blizzard, ice storms or any other snow happenings that might cause power outages or reduced resources and man power. Regardless of what the storm might look like, a company with a plan will have the equipment ready to go, routes scheduled and a plan in place to keep their customers informed and their sites clean.

Is there any other factors that you would recommend be considered before hiring a commercial snow removal company? Share them in the comments below!

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