Plan, Plant, Protect: What to Do to Prepare Your Landscape for Winter

As temperatures dip and the last leaves fall, many homeowners assume that landscaping season is over. According to Brian Cormier, President of Maintenance at R.P. Marzilli & Company, late fall is one of the most critical times to care for your landscape. Late fall and early winter mark the transition from growth to preservation. “This time of year is all about maintenance, and the work we do now is what sets your gardens up for success in the spring,” Cormier shares.

Now is the time to plan, plant, and protect to nurture the work you have invested in all year long, and ensure it thrives when spring makes its vibrant return. 

Put the Garden to Bed

R.P. Marzilli’s team takes a mindful and comprehensive approach to end-of-season maintenance. “A lot of the work this time of year revolves around putting the garden beds to bed—no pun intended—for the winter,” says Cormier. While leaf collection may seem obvious, it is just one piece of a much larger picture.

Key tasks include:

• Deep root fertilization to strengthen plant’s root zones before dormancy
• Anti-desiccant applications on broadleaf evergreens to protect them from harsh winter winds
• Burlap installation and tying of evergreens to prevent snow-load and wind damage

These measures have become even more important in recent years. “We’ve seen some atypical dieback on broadleaf and some needled evergreens that we’ve rarely experienced,” Cormier notes. “It’s really attributed to the drought we experienced over the past couple years.” In response, R.P. Marzilli recommends increased plant protection in the form of burlap and anti-desiccant applications to help plants retain moisture and endure the harsh winter conditions ahead.

Prioritize Plant Health

Thoughtful late-season care directly impacts plant health and next year’s blooms. “It really sets you up for success in the following growing season,” says Cormier. Structural pruning throughout winter and early spring helps trees and shrubs develop strong, balanced forms, while cleaning and fertilizing garden beds ensure plants have the nutrients they need to rebound in the spring.

Plant While You Still Can

While new plantings may be limited as nurseries wind down for the season, Cormier emphasizes that there is still time to plant bulbs for a colorful spring reveal. “We’re actively planting up until the ground freezes,” he says. “This time of year is typically devoted to bulb plantings, where in a few short months, spring ephemerals provide much needed color to a drab early spring landscape.”

Cut Back or Not to Cut Back? 

Deciding whether to cut back perennials and grasses or leave them for winter texture depends on client preference and horticultural insight. “Some clients like a tidy landscape throughout winter while others prefer the visual interest and structure that spent perennials can offer garden beds,” says Cormier. “In general, you can cut back most perennials right after falling dormant with the exception of a few different plants.”

He notes that plants like Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ should be left intact until spring growth emerges. “Cutting it back this time of year can actually be detrimental to the plant,” he explains. Knowing what and when to cut back does require horticultural expertise, which is something the professionals at R.P. Marzilli can offer every property they work on.

Winter Protection, Beyond the Basics

Protecting your landscape investment goes far beyond burlap. “For anything that is of high value that the client wants to protect, we’ll go as far as creating wood structures to protect those plants throughout the winter,” Cormier says. These protective “snow structures” shield foundation plantings adjacent to rooflines from falling snow and ice which can destroy a plant’s form. “Winter is so unpredictable these days,” he adds. “It’s all about being proactive and protecting your investment.”

Irrigation + Water Features

A crucial part of winter prep is irrigation winterization. “Generally, we start right around Halloween and aim to be completed by Thanksgiving,” says Cormier. “Any later than that can risk damage caused by freezing temperatures.” The same rule applies for any outdoor water features and non-frost-free spigots.

Lawn Love: Preparing for Spring Growth

R.P. Marzilli recommends a proactive, layered approach to lawn care. Late summer through early fall is dedicated to multi-directional core aeration, compost topdressing, and seed applications, followed by fertilizer and lime applications throughout the remainder of the growing season.

“Late summer/early fall lawn renovations give ornamental turf two optimal growing seasons—fall and spring—to be able to thicken up before the challenges it will face from summer stressors,” says Cormier. “A healthy stand of turf is the best protection from drought, heat, insect, and disease pressure.”

Cormier stresses that timing and fertilizer type are critical and should generally be left to the lawn care expert to determine. 

Containers + Holiday Prep

Once the fall containers fade, R.P. Marzilli turns its attention to festive transformations. “After Thanksgiving, we focus on replacing fall material with more holiday-appropriate cut greens and winter interest that will last even past the holidays,” says Cormier.

R.P. Marzilli also offers full holiday décor services, including interior and exterior design and installation. “We do lots of holiday décor, from swag, garland, and Christmas trees to wreaths and magical winter lighting displays throughout the landscape,” he shares. “It’s a great time to install some holiday magic in your home.”

Plan Now for Next Year

Winter isn’t just for hibernation. It’s for strategic planning. “You can use this time to refine drainage in your yard, prepare to add new beds, or plan any type of spring landscape enhancements,” Cormier says.

R.P. Marzilli’s team encourages clients to think ahead during the colder months: “Winter is the best time to plan because it enables us to buy out material and ensure a nice early spring start for summer celebrations such as graduation parties, Memorial Day gatherings, weddings, or any upcoming event at your home.”

And if your project involves masonry? That’s no problem. “Our masonry teams work through the winter,” he explains. “We’ll tent in and heat sites as needed to keep projects on schedule for spring deadlines.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most frequent homeowner missteps is wrapping plants too early. “People are already out there wrapping all of their plants with burlap, and it’s actually a bit too early,” Cormier cautions. “You’re forcing it to go dormant earlier than it would, which affects its ability to photosynthesize and store food for its spring reemergence.”

Another growing trend of leaving leaves and beds untouched for pollinators can be a mixed bag. “For the high-performing landscape, you’re generally cleaning everything up,” says Cormier. “But there are ecological benefits to leaving leaves and other fall debris in place, as they give valuable habitat to little critters and pollinators throughout the winter.”

R.P. Marzilli accommodates both approaches. “We have an ecological land care division, called Botanica Land Care,” he notes. “They are responsible for caring for our organic or more ecologically minded clients’ landscapes.”

Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Options

For those pursuing a more organic landscape, Brian suggests:

• Organic lawn programs consisting of compost topdressing and other fertilizers
• Organic plant health care packages, including anti-desiccant, fertilizers, and organic pest/ disease solutions
• Delayed leaf or perennial cleanup to support pollinator survival through the winter

R.P. Marzilli also manages meadows for clients seeking ecological balance. “We’ll hold off on cutting the meadow until late spring,” he says. “It gives habitat to smaller creatures and a food source for larger ones.”

The Takeaway: Plan Now for a Thriving Spring

Late fall may feel like the end of the gardening year, but in truth, it is the foundation for everything that follows. “It’s about protecting your investment,” Cormier says. From pruning and fertilization to irrigation and décor, the team at R.P. Marzilli ensures that every landscape, large or small, emerges from winter not just intact, but flourishing.