Protecting Your Backyard and Garden During Winter in Edmonton, Alberta: A Guide by Gateway Builders

For homeowners with gardens and backyards, this time of year poses unique challenges. The cold weather can wreak havoc on your outdoor spaces, causing damage to plants, trees, and structures. However, with proper preparation and care, you can protect your backyard and garden during the winter months and ensure they thrive come spring.

At Gateway Builders, we specialize in commercial snow removal, but we also understand the importance of maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces year-round. In this blog, we’ll provide helpful tips on how to protect your backyard and garden from Edmonton’s winter weather.

1. Prepare Your Garden Beds and Plants

One of the key aspects of winterizing your garden is ensuring that your plants are protected from the extreme cold. Here’s how to get your garden ready for winter:

Mulch Your Garden Beds: Applying a thick layer of mulch around your plants helps insulate the soil and protects the roots from freezing temperatures. Mulch also helps retain moisture, which is essential for the survival of many perennials during the winter months.
Trim and Prune: Late fall is the perfect time to trim back dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs. This prevents ice and snow buildup on weak branches, reducing the risk of breakage. Pruning also helps improve the health of your plants, ensuring they grow back stronger in the spring.
Cover Delicate Plants: For more delicate plants, such as roses or young trees, consider covering them with burlap or frost blankets to shield them from freezing winds and frost. Be sure to secure the covers with stakes or ties to prevent them from being blown away by strong winds.
Move Potted Plants Indoors: If you have any potted plants, bring them indoors before the first frost. Cold temperatures can cause the soil in pots to freeze faster than in the ground, which can damage the roots and kill the plants.

2. Protect Your Lawn

Edmonton’s long winters can take a toll on your lawn, but with a few simple steps, you can keep it healthy throughout the colder months:

Aerate and Fertilize: Before the first heavy snowfall, aerate your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. Follow up with a fall fertilizer to provide your grass with the nutrients it needs to survive the winter and green up quickly in the spring.
Rake Up Leaves: Leaving a thick layer of leaves on your lawn during the winter can smother the grass and lead to fungal growth. Be sure to rake up leaves and debris before the snow arrives to keep your lawn healthy and free of disease.
Minimize Foot Traffic: Once your lawn is covered in snow, try to minimize foot traffic on it. Walking on snow-covered grass can cause the snow to compact, which reduces airflow to the soil and can damage your lawn.

3. Protect Outdoor Structures and Furniture

In addition to your plants and lawn, it’s essential to protect any outdoor structures, furniture, or decor from the elements. Here are a few tips to help winterize your backyard features:

Store Patio Furniture: Move patio furniture, cushions, and accessories into storage or cover them with weatherproof covers to prevent damage from snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. If you don’t have space to store your furniture, ensure that it’s covered and off the ground to avoid water damage.
Winterize Your Deck or Patio: If you have a wooden deck or patio, inspect it for any signs of damage, such as loose boards or cracks. Consider applying a weatherproof sealant to protect the wood from moisture, ice, and snow. Clearing snow regularly from your deck or patio can also prevent long-term damage.
Drain and Store Hoses: Before temperatures drop, drain any garden hoses and store them in a dry place. Leaving hoses outside can cause them to freeze, crack, or become damaged.

4. Safeguard Trees and Shrubs

Winter can be especially hard on trees and shrubs in your backyard. Heavy snow and ice can cause branches to snap, while cold winds can dry out evergreens. To protect your trees and shrubs:

Wrap Young Trees: If you have young or newly planted trees, wrap the trunks with burlap or tree wrap to prevent frost cracks and sunscald, which can occur when the winter sun warms the bark during the day and temperatures drop at night.
Prune Carefully: As mentioned earlier, pruning dead or weak branches before winter helps reduce the risk of breakage from snow and ice. Avoid heavy pruning during the winter months, as it can expose trees to cold damage.
Add Stakes: For tall shrubs or young trees that are prone to bending under the weight of heavy snow, consider using stakes to provide extra support. Secure the plant to the stakes with soft ties to avoid damaging the bark.

5. Manage Snow and Ice

Heavy snowfall and ice buildup are inevitable in Edmonton, and how you manage them in your backyard can make a big difference in preventing damage:

Shovel Walkways and Driveways: Regularly clearing snow from walkways, driveways, and patios helps prevent the buildup of ice. If ice forms, consider using a pet-safe de-icer or sand to provide better traction without harming your plants.
Distribute Snow Evenly: When shoveling or plowing snow, avoid piling it up on garden beds, around trees, or near structures. Large piles of snow can damage plants and create waterlogged soil in the spring.
Hire Professional Snow Removal Services: For commercial properties, managing snow and ice effectively is essential to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations. At Gateway Builders, we offer comprehensive commercial snow removal services to help keep your property clear and safe throughout the winter. By trusting the professionals, you can focus on maintaining your outdoor spaces while we handle the snow.

6. Take Care of Your Water Features

If you have a pond, fountain, or other water feature in your backyard, it’s important to take steps to protect it from freezing over the winter:

Turn Off and Drain Water Features: Before freezing temperatures arrive, turn off any pumps or fountains and drain the water to prevent damage from ice expansion.
Cover Ponds: If you have fish in your pond, consider using a pond heater or aerator to keep part of the surface ice-free. Covering the pond with a net can also help keep out debris and prevent damage to plants and fish.

Conclusion

Winter in Edmonton can be tough on backyards and gardens, but with the right preparation, you can keep your outdoor space in great condition. By taking steps to protect your plants, lawn, trees, and outdoor structures, you can minimize winter damage and ensure a smooth transition into spring.

At Gateway Builders, we understand the challenges that winter brings, and we’re here to help. While we specialize in commercial snow removal, we also believe in the importance of maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces year-round. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your winter needs, from snow removal to winterizing outdoor spaces. Stay warm and keep your backyard safe this winter!