What Not to Do Right Now If You Don’t Want to Ruin Your Landscape Before Spring
Landscape damage doesn’t only happen in the heat of summer.
It can happen right now — when homeowners try to “get ahead.”
Every winter, we see it: well-meaning yard work that quietly sets landscapes back weeks (or even months) before spring ever arrives. The frustrating part? The mistakes are common, avoidable, and often recommended by outdated advice.
If you want your landscape to wake up healthy, full, and ready to thrive, there are three things you should absolutely not do right now — and three smart moves you can make instead.
Let’s save you the regret.
The 3 Things NOT to Do Before Spring (Even If It Feels Productive)
1. Don’t Prune Too Early
Pruning now might feel like a fresh start, but it’s one of the fastest ways to stress or damage your plants.
When you prune before the threat of cold has passed:
You expose tender new growth to frost damage
You interrupt natural dormancy cycles
You risk fewer blooms and weaker growth in spring
Many shrubs and trees actually need their winter structure to protect themselves. Cutting too soon removes that natural defense.
Bottom line: Early pruning doesn’t help plants wake up faster — it sets them back.
2. Don’t Fertilize
This one surprises people.
Fertilizer signals plants to grow. Right now, your landscape is resting — and forcing growth during dormancy can:
Create weak, leggy growth
Increase susceptibility to disease
Waste nutrients that plants can’t properly absorb yet
Fertilizing too early is like revving a car engine while it’s still in park. Nothing good comes from it.
3. Don’t Rake Leaves Away From Plants
Leaves aren’t messy — they’re protective.
Raking leaves away from beds exposes soil and roots to temperature swings and moisture loss. Those leaves act as:
Natural insulation
Moisture retainers
Organic matter that improves soil over time
Removing them now can shock plants and strip your soil of valuable nutrients just before spring growth begins.
The 3 Smart Things You Can Do Right Now
Now for the good news. There are ways to get ahead — without risking damage.
1. Add Compost
If there’s one thing that improves almost every landscape, it’s compost.
Adding compost now:
Builds healthier soil structure
Improves drainage and moisture retention
Feeds beneficial microorganisms
You’re not forcing growth — you’re quietly setting the stage for stronger roots and better performance when spring arrives.
2. Apply Pre-Emergent
Weeds don’t wait for spring. They plan ahead — just like you should.
Applying pre-emergent now helps:
Prevent weed seeds from germinating
Reduce competition for nutrients and water
Save you time, money, and frustration later
This is one of the most effective “do it once, benefit all season” steps you can take.
3. Plant (Yes, You Can Plant!)
This is the biggest misconception of all.
Many trees, shrubs, and perennials actually prefer being planted now. Cooler temperatures allow:
Strong root development
Less transplant stress
A head start before spring growth kicks in
By the time everyone else is planting, yours will already be established and thriving.
The Takeaway
Spring success doesn’t start in spring.
It starts with what you don’t do right now — and the few strategic steps you take instead.
Skip the pruning, fertilizing, and aggressive cleanup.
Focus on soil health, weed prevention, and smart planting.
And if you’re unsure what’s right for your landscape, that’s where we come in.
Stop guessing. Start growing smarter.
Visit us to talk with our team to make sure your landscape is set up for its best season yet.
