Landscape Maintenance During the Snow Season: Protecting Your Outdoor Spaces
By Nick Linden - January 14, 2026
Landscape Maintenance During the Snow Season: Protecting Your Outdoor Spaces
Winter snow can be both beautiful and challenging for landscapes. Without proper care, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can damage plants, lawns, and hardscape features. Landscape maintenance during the snow season is essential to preserve outdoor spaces and ensure a healthy, vibrant landscape when spring arrives.
Preparing Landscapes Before Snowfall
Preparation is key to minimizing winter damage. Before the first snowfall, remove fallen leaves and debris from lawns and garden beds to prevent mold and disease. Trim dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of breakage under heavy snow.
Applying mulch around trees and plant beds helps insulate roots and retain moisture during freezing conditions. It’s also important to mark pathways, driveways, and garden edges with stakes so they remain visible after snow accumulation.
Protecting Plants and Trees
Snow and ice can weigh down branches, causing them to bend or snap. Gently brushing excess snow from shrubs and small trees can prevent damage, but avoid shaking frozen branches, as they can break easily. Wrapping vulnerable plants with burlap provides protection against harsh winds and temperature fluctuations.
Evergreens are especially susceptible to snow load. Pruning them properly before winter reduces stress and helps maintain their structure throughout the season.
Lawn Care in Winter
Lawns require special attention during snowy months. Avoid walking on frozen or snow-covered grass, as this can compact the soil and damage the turf. Excessive foot traffic may also lead to dead patches once the snow melts.
Snow mold is a common winter issue. Keeping lawns clear of debris and avoiding heavy snow piles on grass can help prevent fungal growth.
Snow Removal and Hardscape Care
When clearing snow from walkways and patios, use plastic shovels to prevent damage to surfaces. Choose ice melt products that are safe for plants, pets, and hardscapes, as harsh chemicals can harm vegetation and soil.
Avoid piling snow onto garden beds or near tree bases, as melting snow mixed with salt can damage roots and alter soil quality.
Planning for Spring Recovery
Winter is an ideal time to plan landscape improvements for the coming year. Assess areas that may need replanting, soil repair, or drainage improvements once the snow melts. Thoughtful winter maintenance ensures a smoother transition into spring.
With proper landscape maintenance during the snow season, outdoor spaces can remain protected and ready to thrive. Careful preparation and mindful snow management help preserve the beauty and health of your landscape all year long.
Go Back Winter snow can be both beautiful and challenging for landscapes. Without proper care, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can damage plants, lawns, and hardscape features. Landscape maintenance during the snow season is essential to preserve outdoor spaces and ensure a healthy, vibrant landscape when spring arrives.
Preparing Landscapes Before Snowfall
Preparation is key to minimizing winter damage. Before the first snowfall, remove fallen leaves and debris from lawns and garden beds to prevent mold and disease. Trim dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of breakage under heavy snow.
Applying mulch around trees and plant beds helps insulate roots and retain moisture during freezing conditions. It’s also important to mark pathways, driveways, and garden edges with stakes so they remain visible after snow accumulation.
Protecting Plants and Trees
Snow and ice can weigh down branches, causing them to bend or snap. Gently brushing excess snow from shrubs and small trees can prevent damage, but avoid shaking frozen branches, as they can break easily. Wrapping vulnerable plants with burlap provides protection against harsh winds and temperature fluctuations.
Evergreens are especially susceptible to snow load. Pruning them properly before winter reduces stress and helps maintain their structure throughout the season.
Lawn Care in Winter
Lawns require special attention during snowy months. Avoid walking on frozen or snow-covered grass, as this can compact the soil and damage the turf. Excessive foot traffic may also lead to dead patches once the snow melts.
Snow mold is a common winter issue. Keeping lawns clear of debris and avoiding heavy snow piles on grass can help prevent fungal growth.
Snow Removal and Hardscape Care
When clearing snow from walkways and patios, use plastic shovels to prevent damage to surfaces. Choose ice melt products that are safe for plants, pets, and hardscapes, as harsh chemicals can harm vegetation and soil.
Avoid piling snow onto garden beds or near tree bases, as melting snow mixed with salt can damage roots and alter soil quality.
Planning for Spring Recovery
Winter is an ideal time to plan landscape improvements for the coming year. Assess areas that may need replanting, soil repair, or drainage improvements once the snow melts. Thoughtful winter maintenance ensures a smoother transition into spring.
With proper landscape maintenance during the snow season, outdoor spaces can remain protected and ready to thrive. Careful preparation and mindful snow management help preserve the beauty and health of your landscape all year long.