Heavy wet snow can crush a newly planted shrub right when spring finally arrives in the valley. Missoula Landscaping Company sees wild temperature swings across western Montana. One week the temperature pushes sixty degrees down by the Clark Fork River, and the next week brings a late April blizzard that drops eight inches of heavy powder on the neighborhood.
Homeowners living up in the Rattlesnake or down on the South Side already know our local soil packs a punch. The soil is often heavy clay mixed with river rock left behind by ancient glacial floods. That means proper drainage is everything. When fall rains turn to winter freeze, water trapped in poorly graded areas expands and causes damage to pavers, retaining walls, and plant roots.
Timing Your Landscaping Projects Around Mountain Weather
People often call Missoula Landscaping Company in a panic right in the middle of July asking for a complete yard overhaul. July is not the best time to plant cool-season grass or stress delicate perennials with our baking afternoon sun. Missoula Landscaping Company usually tells homeowners to look at early fall or late spring.
Spring gives plants a chance to establish roots before the dry July heat kicks in. Fall is even better for trees and shrubs because the soil is still holding onto summer warmth while the air cools down. Plants love that combination. They put all their energy into root growth instead of pushing out new green leaves that will just get scorched.
Winterizing Without Overcomplicating Things
You do not need a degree in horticulture to keep your yard alive through a Montana winter. Blow out your irrigation lines before that first hard freeze in October. If you leave water sitting in those backflow preventers or poly lines, you will be dealing with costly cracked pipes come May.
- Shut off the main valve and drain the system properly.
- Wrap tender young maples or fruit trees if they are exposed to harsh north winds.
- Pile a fresh layer of bark mulch around perennials to insulate roots from deep freezes.
Protecting your outdoor investment does not mean hiding indoors all winter. A little smart prep work in October saves you from major headaches when the snow finally melts off the lawn in Missoula.