Top Tips to Get Your Landscaping Ready for Winter

In Tulsa and Broken Arrow, a mild afternoon can turn into a hard freeze overnight. Lawns still have color and beds may show the last blooms, but winter is close. A little winter landscaping prep now will protect roots, keep water moving away from the house, and make walkways safer when nights get cold.

Winterize irrigation in Tulsa and Broken Arrow

Start with water. Turn the irrigation controller to the off position before the first hard freeze. Clear the lines as your system requires. Insulate the backflow and any exposed pipes so trapped water does not crack fittings. Mark sprinkler heads near driveways and sidewalks so holiday parking does not break them.

After a steady rain, walk the yard. Make sure downspouts carry water away from foundations and planting beds. Clear clogged drains. Drain hoses and empty rain barrels. Add insulated covers to outdoor spigots. Tulsa clay soils hold moisture, so good drainage helps prevent frost heave and plant damage. Solid water control is the base of smart winter landscaping prep.

Winter lawn prep for Bermuda and zoysia

Give Bermuda and Zoysia one last tidy cut. Keep a steady height so the grass does not mat under leaves. This lowers winter disease risk. In shade pockets that thin each year, add a light patch of a cool season blend so the surface stays covered without causing trouble in spring.

Feed the soil, not just the grass. Topdress thin spots with a shallow layer of screened compost and water it in so it reaches the root zone. Finish with clean edges along beds and hard surfaces. Crisp borders stop turf from creeping during freeze and thaw cycles and make spring cleanup faster.

Bed cleanup and correct mulch depth

Cut back perennials that flop or trap moisture. Leave a few seed heads, like coneflower, for birds and winter interest. Set mulch to a true depth of two to three inches. Measure in a few places rather than guessing. Too little mulch will not protect roots. Too much mulch can hold water against crowns and cause rot.

Pull visible weeds and spot treat stubborn patches so seeds do not settle into cold soil. Remove worn summer annuals. If you want entry color, add a few cool season plants near the front door and keep the rest simple.

Protect trees and shrubs before winter

Water evergreens deeply a day or two before a hard freeze. Moist soil holds warmth and helps needles stay hydrated in the wind. Wrap young trunks on the southwest side to limit sunscald. Use guards at the base of young trees where browsing is common.

Look for small crossing branches you can remove with hand pruners. Take down obvious storm hazards before ice arrives. Check stakes and ties and adjust them so trunks can move without rocking at the root. Large work near a roof or a service line is not a do it yourself task. Note the concern and reach out to us on landscape services in Tulsa, if needed.

Leaf removal in Tulsa and Broken Arrow

Leaves are useful in thin layers but become a problem when they form a mat. During peak drop, use a weekly routine. Mulch mow open lawn areas to return organic matter. Move leaves out of beds so plant crowns stay dry and healthy. Clean gutters and roofline valleys so water does not overflow, freeze on a path, or stain beds. Sweep patios, walks, and pool decks to reduce slip risks. Consistent leaf work is an easy way to keep winter landscaping prep on track.

Winterize hardscape, patios, and walks

Clean stone and pavers while daytime temperatures support curing. Sealer bonds better to a clean surface. Seal only where it makes sense. The goal is to protect color and reduce marks from leaves and mineral deposits, not to create a shine on every surface.

Drain small fountains and store pumps indoors. Cover basins to keep debris out. Clean grills and furniture and store cushions in a dry spot so fabric lasts through winter.

Store tools and stage winter supplies

Give your tools simple care now so they are ready in spring. Clean mower decks, sharpen blades, add fuel stabilizer, and store equipment in a dry place. Wipe down hand tools, oil metal parts, and hang them within easy reach. Place plant safe ice melt where you actually walk. Set a shovel by each door. A little order now makes winter easier.

Winter landscaping wrap up for Oklahoma

Good winter landscaping prep is not a full makeover. It is a short list of smart steps that protect roots, manage water, and keep routes around the home safe. Work in this order when possible: irrigation, lawn, beds, trees and shrubs, leaves, hardscape, and tools. With steady winter landscaping prep, homes in Tulsa and Broken Arrow enter winter protected and greet spring ready to grow.