As the holiday season approaches, many of us turn our attention indoors: decorating the tree, baking, and getting ready for family gatherings. But before you shift completely to the festive spirit, take a few hours to prepare your yard and landscape for winter. A little work now can protect your investment in plants, reduce spring chores, and keep your property looking sharp when guests arrive and before it turns so cold that you don’t want to work outdoors.

Here in Sampson County, our winters are generally mild, but we still experience freezing temperatures, occasional ice, and long, wet periods that can stress plants. The weeks between now and Christmas are a great window to tidy up, protect your landscape, and add a touch of seasonal color.

1. Clean Up and Cut Back

Start by removing fallen leaves, sticks, and dead plant material from beds and lawns. Leaves left in thick layers can smother turfgrass and invite disease. They can also be a warm and inviting place for many harmful insects to hibernate over the winter. Compost healthy leaves or mulch them with your mower and return them to the soil for organic matter.

Perennials that have finished blooming, such as lantana, black-eyed Susan, and daylilies, can be cut back to a few inches above the ground. Avoid cutting back tender perennials like garden mums or salvias too early—wait until a hard frost kills back the foliage. Pruning trees and shrubs, however, is best left until late winter (February–March) when plants are fully dormant.

2. Refresh the Mulch

A fresh layer of mulch—about 2 to 3 inches deep—helps insulate plant roots from sudden temperature swings. Pine straw, shredded bark, or composted leaves are all good choices for Sampson County soils. Mulch also reduces erosion during our winter rains and keeps the landscape looking neat through the holidays. Be careful not to pile mulch directly against the trunks of trees or shrubs, as this can hold moisture and lead to rot. Think of it like a “doughnut,” not a “volcano”.

3. Protect Tender Plants

Many popular landscape plants, like gardenias, camellias, and young citrus trees, can be injured by hard freezes. When temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing, cover sensitive plants with frost cloth, old sheets, or lightweight blankets. Avoid using plastic directly on foliage. Remove covers during the day so plants can warm up and get light.

Container plants are especially vulnerable to cold damage because their roots are above ground. Move them inside or closer to the house or garage, where temperatures are more stable.

4. Keep Color in the Landscape

Even in winter, your yard doesn’t have to look dull. Pansies, violas, snapdragons, and ornamental kale all thrive in cool weather and bring fresh color to beds and containers through early spring. Now is the time to plant them: soil temperatures are cool but not cold, and roots will establish before the worst winter weather arrives. If you want to add a festive touch, try mixing evergreens and seasonal accents in porch pots: use boxwood, holly, or nandina branches with pinecones or red berries for a simple holiday arrangement that will last for weeks.

5. Don’t Forget the Details

Drain and store garden hoses, empty drip irrigation lines, and disconnect outdoor faucets. Clean and sharpen tools before putting them away. A light coat of oil on metal surfaces will prevent rust. Taking these small steps in November not only helps your landscape weather the winter but also ensures you’ll start spring ahead of the game. With a well-prepared yard, you can relax and enjoy the holidays knowing your plants are protected and your home looks its best.

For more local gardening advice, contact the Sampson County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners at (910) 592-7161. Our staff and Master Gardener Volunteers are happy to help you keep your landscape healthy year-round.