Winter in landscape maintenance is a crucial time to get things ready for the growing season again. Making sure you have regular visits in the winter is integral to a beautiful spring and a healthy landscape. Things that ensure your landscape is ready for spring:
Continued turf maintenance- Winter weeds emerging when winter temps rise for a few weeks in North Carolina is an issue. Landscapers spot spray weeds in turf that make their way through to ensure a a lush healthy lawn. Pre-emergent herbicide applications to prevent weeds as well as fertilization happen in the winter months that get turf ready for spring growth are important events that should not be missed.
Winter pruning- Removing dead, dying, and crossing branches on trees such as crepe myrtles is vital to tree health. Cutting back grasses and roses in the winter is ideal as well. While there are shrubs that should not be pruned in the winter due to buds setting right after blooming, many ever-green shrubs benefit from harder prunings when needed in the winter. Cutting back perennials is also a great horticultural practice and maintains the landscape.
Basic clean-up- picking up leaves, sticks, and pine cones in the winter keeps your landscape looking tidy and neat. Blowing off hard surfaces regularly will protect hardscaping from holding water and discoloration from debris.
Mulching and pine straw- adding mulch or pine straw each winter will help your landscape by adding organic material back into beds, weed suppression, and keeping moisture in the ground.
Winter is not a time for your landscape to hibernate but a season that demands thoughtful care and attention. Regular visits from landscapers, coupled with practices like continued turf maintenance, winter pruning, basic clean-up rituals, and mulching, create the perfect canvas for a breathtaking spring revival.
Why Winter Landscape Visits Matter in Central North Carolina
In the Triangle, winter isn’t a dormant season for landscapes - it’s a preparation season. With fluctuating temperatures and mild winter stretches common in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding communities, landscapes require consistent attention to ensure strong spring growth.
Winter visits allow crews to manage emerging winter weeds, apply pre-emergent herbicides, fertilize turf, and prepare lawns for active growth. Selective winter pruning improves tree structure and plant health, while cutting back ornamental grasses and perennials maintains clean bed lines.
Routine clean-up, hardscape maintenance, and fresh mulch or pine straw applications protect soil health and moisture retention. Skipping winter maintenance often results in heavier corrective work in spring - and missed opportunities for optimal growth.
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Serving Homeowners Across the Triangle
If you’re in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill and need expert help with landscaping, hardscaping, or outdoor construction, Myatt Landscaping and Construction is here to help.
From custom patios and retaining walls to full outdoor design-build projects, our local team has served the Triangle area for more than 25 years.
📍 Myatt Landscaping and Construction
217 Technology Park Ln, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is winter maintenance necessary in North Carolina?
Yes. Mild winters allow weeds to emerge and turf treatments to begin early, making winter visits essential for spring readiness.
What turf treatments happen in winter?
Spot weed control, pre-emergent herbicide applications, and fertilization are commonly performed during winter months.
Which plants should be pruned in winter?
Trees like crape myrtles, ornamental grasses, roses, and many perennials benefit from winter pruning, though some flowering shrubs should be pruned after bloom.
Why is mulching important in winter?
Mulch and pine straw help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, regulate temperature, and add organic material back into planting beds.
Does winter clean-up protect hardscapes?
Yes. Removing debris prevents moisture buildup and staining on patios, walkways, and driveways.
What happens if winter maintenance is skipped?
Neglecting winter care can lead to increased weed pressure, delayed turf recovery, and more intensive corrective work in spring.