Getting your landscape ready for a Wisconsin winter

Winter prep is one of those jobs where doing it on time matters as much as doing it right. Here's the order we work through with our maintenance customers between mid-October and Thanksgiving.

October 10–25: irrigation blowout

Schedule your irrigation blowout before the first hard freeze. In Brown County, we plan for that to happen around Halloween — but in colder years, it's been as early as October 12. A frozen system is a $2,000+ repair you can avoid for under $100.

Late October: final mow and leaf management

Drop your mower deck a half-inch for the last cut of the season — about 3" instead of 3.5". This reduces snow mold risk over winter. Mulch leaves into the lawn rather than bagging them; chopped leaves are free fertilizer and break down by spring.

Early November: protect vulnerable shrubs

Wrap young arborvitae, boxwood, and any newly planted evergreens in burlap to prevent winter desiccation and salt spray damage. Anything within 15 feet of a salted road or driveway needs protection.

Mid-November: cut back perennials selectively

Cut back peonies, hostas, and any perennials with disease issues. Leave ornamental grasses, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and sedum standing — they provide winter interest and food for birds.

Before the snow flies: mark your beds

Drive marker stakes along driveway edges and bed lines before the first snowfall. Your snow-removal crew (us or anyone else) will work faster and damage less if they can see exactly where the lawn ends and the bed begins.

Final task: tools and equipment

Drain the gas from your mower or run it dry. Sharpen your mower blade. Clean and oil pruners and shovels. You'll thank yourself in March.

Want us to handle all of it? Get on our fall winterization route — we book it solid by mid-September most years.