Winter mulching with leaves

As we get closer and closer to winter here in the Upper Peninsula, people start asking me about mulching their trees and shrubs. I thought this would be a good time to give you some basic guidelines on how to cover your plants with leaves for winter protection. First of all, let’s talk about when…

Mulching winter squash

Mulching winter squash

You can keep your winter squash producing longer by mulching them to protect the soil through the cold weather. You have harvested all of your summer vegetables, but you still have some fruit on the vines that are starting to shrivel. They are hard and dry enough for storage, but you want to continue gathering…

What Temperature is Too Cold to Water Lawn?

What Temperature is Too Cold to Water Lawn?

When the temperature is below 40°F (4°C), it’s too chilly to water grass. Grasses enter dormancy as temperatures drop closer to zero degrees Fahrenheit, requiring far less irrigation. When the temperature dips below freezing, grass goes into dormancy and requires far less water than it does while actively growing in hotter weather. If you have…

Winter weed control for your lawn is a simple, do-it-yourself project

Winter weed control for your lawn is a simple, do-it-yourself project

Weeds in winter can be recognized by their lighter color green and thin blades. Many weeds, such as common chickweed, henbit, annual bluegrass and others will emerge from the root in early Spring when temperatures warm up. In most cases these weeds are easy to control because they have not accumulated starch reserves in their…