7 Tasks to Prepare Your Hamptons Landscape for Winter

Before you get away from your summer getaway, schedule these services, so your landscape will be in optimal condition and ready to enjoy next spring.

Mahoney Associates Winter Preparations

1. Provide supplemental watering for high-value plants.

Keep irrigation systems flowing until the ground freezes to water trees and shrubs planted within the past two to three years, and for trees such as evergreens with shallow root systems.

When fall weather is dry with warm temperatures, it’s best to delay irrigation system winterization and keep the water flowing.

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2. Consider deer fencing to protect your plants and outdoor living spaces.

Preventing deer from visiting your yard and shedding ticks will help reduce your family’s risk of tick bites.

Fencing also allows you to choose from a broader plant palette, instead of limiting your garden only to plants that deer avoid.

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3. Remove hazardous tree limbs and trees that are at high risk of failure during storms.

Frozen ground and dormant plants make winter an optimal time to remove dead or declining trees, especially those that would damage property or other landscape elements when branches break or the entire tree falls.

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4. Schedule winter tree and shrub pruning.

Each plant in your landscape has an ideal pruning window based on its flowering and bud-setting cycle.

Winter is an excellent time to prune many deciduous trees when branch structure is easier to see without foliage.

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5. Plan to address destructive insects and invasive species.

Horticultural oil applications suffocate overwintering insects, insect eggs, and mites when applied timely. Winter is an ideal time to eradicate certain invasive plants that host highly destructive insects.

An integrated pest management program will ensure optimal timing of year-round treatments for your landscape.

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6. Protect evergreens with anti-desiccant treatments.

A spray coating of biodegradable horticultural oil protects evergreen leaves from tissue damage by sealing leaves and helping the plant retain moisture.

Anti-desiccant applications minimize the bronzing and curling of broadleaf evergreens that occur during winter when cold, dry winter air pulls moisture from leaf tissue.

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7. Cover sensitive plants with burlap to protect them from structural damage.

The weight of snow accumulation on shrubs can splay and even split branches, resulting in unsightly gaps in hedges.

Snug burlap fabric covering allows the plants to breath while retaining structural integrity.

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Bonus tip: Get a jump on spring landscape projects!

Dreaming of new outdoor living spaces to enjoy next summer? Schedule your design consultation now!

Design work and permitting can be completed during the winter months, so installation can begin as soon as spring weather conditions allow.

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Winter Landscape Preparation FAQs for Hamptons Properties

What should I do to prepare my Hamptons landscape before winter?

Schedule essential landscape services to ensure your property remains in optimal condition throughout winter and is ready to enjoy in spring. Key tasks include supplemental watering, winter pruning, pest management, plant protection, and planning ahead for spring enhancements.

Why is fall watering important for newly planted trees and evergreens?

Plants installed within the past two to three years have not yet established deep root systems. Evergreens, in particular, retain foliage year-round and continue to lose moisture during winter, making adequate fall hydration essential for preventing winter burn and decline.

How can I protect my landscape from deer damage?

Deer pressure across the Hamptons has increased significantly in recent years. Installing deer fencing helps prevent deer from entering your property, protecting both plantings and outdoor living spaces. It also reduces exposure to ticks that deer may carry, lowering the risk of tick bites for your family. Additionally, fencing allows for a broader plant palette without limiting selections to deer-resistant varieties.

How can I protect evergreens from winter damage?

Applying anti-desiccant treatments such as a biodegradable horticultural oil coating helps evergreens retain moisture and prevents tissue damage. These treatments reduce common winter issues like bronzing and curling caused by cold, dry air.

Should I cover plants during winter storms?

Yes. Covering vulnerable plants with burlap helps protect them from structural damage caused by snow accumulation. Properly secured burlap allows plants to breathe while maintaining their shape and preventing branch breakage or splitting.

How do horticultural oil treatments protect my landscape?

Dormant-season horticultural oils effectively smother overwintering insects, eggs, and mites. When applied at the correct time, they form a critical part of a comprehensive, proactive plant health care program.

Why is winter considered an ideal time for tree and shrub pruning?

Winter is an excellent time to prune many deciduous trees, as their branch structure is more visible without foliage. However, pruning timing should be tailored to each plant’s flowering and bud-setting cycle to ensure optimal results. During winter, there is minimal risk of insect or fungal infections getting established in the pruning cuts.

Is winter a good time for tree removal?

Yes. Winter is an optimal time to remove hazardous tree limbs and trees at risk of failure. Frozen ground and dormant plant conditions allow for safer removal, minimizing damage to surrounding landscape elements and structures.

Can invasive plants be addressed during winter months?

Yes. Invasive species remain identifiable and accessible in winter, and removing them at this time reduces competition and eliminates habitats for damaging pests before the growing season begins.

Contact us now for your dream landscape!

We transform landscapes into brilliant gardens and luxurious outdoor spaces from Westhampton to Montauk, including Quogue, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Wainscott, East Hampton, Amagansett, North Haven, Shelter Island and surrounding areas in Suffolk County, New York.