How to Protect & Maintain Your New Plants, Turf & Trees In Their First Winter

Even though we have milder winters here in Northern Virginia, there are parts of your landscape that may still be susceptible to frost damage.

Newly installed plants, in particular, can be more sensitive to cold-weather damage since they have not had a chance to establish an extensive root system.

Jump to Section

• Do I Need to Protect New Landscape Plants From Winter Weather?
• How to Protect New Plants From Frost?
• Do New Lawns Need Extra Winter Lawn Maintenance?
• Will New Sod Survive Winter Weather?
• What’s the Best Way to Protect New Trees in Cold Weather?
• Choosing Landscape Maintenance in Northern VA

We asked Alan Macbeth, our Senior Landscape Designer, to answer some of the commonly asked questions about protecting your new plants during their first winter.

Do I Need to Protect New Landscape Plants From Winter Weather?

The need for plant frost protection really does boil down to the specifics of the plant, says Alan.

“For example, is it classified for the USDA zone in which it’s planted?” he asks. “If the plant is rated for the zone in which it is planted, which is based on the plant’s hardiness, it should be rated to endure a typical winter.”

However, he says that the time the plant was installed will come into play. If it was installed in plenty of time to develop viable roots, it will be much more prepared to endure winter than if it was installed recently.

“If it’s very newly planted, then a protection with a thicker layer of mulch and the application of an anti-dessicant might be warranted.”

Alan adds that if the plant is in a pot or urn, it may be at increased risk of damage, especially if the pot is not insulated.

“If that’s the case, wrapping the pot or moving it to a protected location may be necessary,” he says.

Plants that are located in a section of a property that tends to get a lot of wind might also require extra protection, Alan adds. Wind, coupled with cold temperatures, can actually be more damaging than snow.

“Consider applying protective blanketing or one to two rounds of anti-dessicant, specifically for evergreens,” he suggests.

In cases where a plant may be a “marginal plant” for the zone in which it's planted (particularly if it's a plant zoned to be in a warmer plant zone), then some additional winter protection may be required, Alan continues.

Some very tender plants may need to be wrapped (for example, some tropicals like palms) or even moved into controlled environments such as a cold house (a glass house without heat but provides wind and heavy frost protection).

You can read a lot more about USDA climate zones in this article we previously published.

You’ll see that Northern Virginia falls primarily into Zone 7b (specifically Arlington and Alexandria). But in looking at a slightly wider geographic area, it ranges from Zone 6b to Zone 8b.

How to Protect New Plants From Frost?

There are some steps that you can take to protect new plants from frost damage. Alan shares his best tips for protecting new plants from frost.

• Avoid late-season fertilizing. Fertilizing promotes soft growth, so stopping nitrogen-rich fertilizing at least 6-8 weeks before the first frost will allow the plant to naturally “harden off” or prepare for winter. You do not want to encourage soft growth, as it will be easily killed or damaged by frost.
• Ensure plants are correctly planted, specifically at the correct depth. If planted too shallow, the root zone may be exposed to damaging frost. Correct planting depth plus correct mulching will improve plant resilience.

This is a much more challenging aspect to know or control, but to the best of your ability, try to purchase and install new plants that have been nursed or stored outdoors.

If a plant sits protected, either under a roofed structure or in warmer conditions, at a nursery, it will take longer to “harden off” and prepare for winter. As a person, think of going from the sauna to the frozen lake!

Ensure the new plants are well and consistently watered after installation, as moist soil is a better insulator than dry.

Do New Lawns Need Extra Winter Lawn Maintenance?

As long as the sod installed is suited to the zone where it's planted, lawns will naturally go dormant and can endure some very tough winter conditions, says Alan.

“Many factors can go into a new lawn surviving its first winter,” he continues. “It’s along the same lines as what makes an established lawn resilient. If the lawn itself is healthy heading into winter, it's more prepared for all that winter has in store.”

Alan advises that homeowners should avoid letting leaves linger and, if at all possible, avoid piling excessive amounts of snow onto lawn areas.

But if it's not possible, at least have the lawn service use non-damaging salts or de-icers. When the snow melts, all these chemicals can absorb into the lawn and cause severe damage, he warns.  

“Snow mold can also be an issue for lawns, especially during winters with extended periods of snow cover,” Alan continues. “But this can be helped by ensuring lawns are as free of leaf debris as possible. You also want to make sure that your final mow of the season is slightly lower than normal and that your lawn was aerated in the fall to help improve drainage.”

Will New Sod Survive Winter Weather?

The simple answer is yes, says Alan.

Sod should survive a winter season, assuming you chose a sod rated for the region.

“If the sod purchased and installed is deemed appropriate for your area by the sod farm, then it can and should survive winter,” Alan sums up.

As noted before, sod will go dormant, meaning it will conserve energy and cease or slow root growth, so while the sod may not "knit" and set strong, established roots until the soil temps rise in spring (i.e., if the sod is installed in winter).

What’s the Best Way to Protect New Trees in Cold Weather?

According to Alan, evergreens can definitely benefit from one to two applications of an anti-dessicant.

An anti-desiccant spray provides a protective coating that keeps the leaves from losing too much water through evaporation. This helps to save every last drop for the plant.

As with lawns and shrubs, cease any form of fertilization for your trees, especially nitrogen-dominant fertilization, as you do not want to push new growth. Alan advises stopping between six and eight weeks before the first frost of the season.

“Also, ensure correct planting depth, and that the tree is planted in healthy soil that is well-mulched and watered,” Alan adds. “Just like with humans, the healthier that your trees are headed into tough conditions, the better their chance of survival.”

This is why it’s so important to take good care of your trees all year long, he says. And if you are purchasing new trees, make sure they’re in good condition.

Choosing Landscape Maintenance in Northern VA

Winter can be a tough time for landscapes. But you can set your landscape up for success with some forethought and planning.

There’s no question that your best course of action is preventative care. That means partnering with a landscaping company that will offer you best-practice tips and set realistic expectations.

Choosing the right landscape maintenance partner will take stress and burdens off your plate by providing you with an expert you can trust.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, you can always count on us to steer you in the right direction. We believe in partnering with homeowners and helping guide them toward the best choices for their landscape.

If you have questions about your landscape in the winter or any other time of the year, we’re here to help.

We recognize that what’s best for you might not be best for your neighbor. That’s why we take a customized approach to landscape maintenance. You deserve a landscape professional who has your best interest at heart.

Are you ready to partner with a landscaping company that will help guide you to the best decisions for your Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA home? If so, request your consultation, get your customized plan, and relax as you get the royal treatment.

Image Source | Arborvitae in Snow