Surprise heavy snowfall and ice storms can take the Denver area by surprise well into the late spring months. When they do, your carefully cared for landscaping that’s just starting to grow and bloom will be at risk of serious damage. Luckily, taking care of your plants before an ice storm hits is easier than you might think. You just need to be willing to put in a little effort. Not sure where to start? Your trusted Denver sprinkler repair team is here to help. Here are a few easy ways to protect your landscaping and your sprinkler system from ice buildup.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

The best way to protect your landscaping from ice storms is to check the weather forecast on a regular basis. Try to do this once or twice a week at least. Watch the forecast on the news, read about projected temperatures and weather events in the newspaper, or use a weather app on your phone. It doesn’t matter how you get your information as long as you’re staying up to date on the weather condition. your area. If you notice extremely heavy snow, hail, or ice storms in the forecast, you’ll need to take action before the storm hits if you want to protect your landscaping as well as you can.

Invest in Sturdy Tarps for Garden Beds

One of the best ways to protect new growth and flowers in your garden beds is to invest in sturdy tarps that you can use to cover the fragile plants. You should be able to pick them up at your closest garden center or big-box retailer. Add supports to keep the weight of the tarps off the plants if possible. Then, spread and secure the tarps before severe weather rolls in. These tarps are light enough that you should be able to spread them and remove them on your own in a matter of minutes. If you can, store them in a dry area between storms and let them dry completely before you fold them back up for storage. This will extend the life of the tarps and keep mold and mildew growth at bay.

Wrap Young Trees

Older trees are well established in your yard. Their roots are deep enough to withstand high winds and their branches and leaves are better able to handle the weight of any ice that can accumulate on them. Younger trees, however, aren’t as well equipped to handle ice storms. The best thing you can do is wrap those young trees. Use burlap to wrap the trunk and protect the bulk of the tree from ice buildup. Most of the branches should be able to recover on their own if ice collects on them. 

Stay on Top of Tree Trimming and Pruning

Even a small coating of ice can add several pounds of additional weight to your trees’ limbs and branches. If the branches are too large or already have damage, they can break under the weight. The best way to protect your trees from further strain and damage during ice storms is to schedule routine tree trimming and pruning appointments with your trusted tree company. They’ll be able to get rid of any damaged growth and can make sure the trees are able to withstand the added weight of ice buildup without suffering too much damage by simply trimming away excess growth.

Don’t Walk on Frozen Grass

After an ice storm, you’ll likely notice a fine sheet of ice coating your grass. Though it might seem harmless enough, avoid walking on your lawn until the ice melts. Frozen grass and the roots beneath the blades can break under the weight of your foot when they’re frozen. Once this happens, the lawn may develop brown spots and patchy growth. By letting the ice thaw, you’ll keep your grass from breakage and damage.

Turn the Water Supply to Your Sprinklers Off

When you’re trying to keep your lawn and your landscaping watered on a regular basis, nothing beats your sprinkler system. But if you notice ice storms in the forecast or see freezing temperatures projected, don’t leave it on. Instead, turn the water supply off and make sure the sprinkler heads retract back into the ground. If they don’t, call your sprinkler repair team and let them inspect your system. They’ll be able to fix the issue so the rest of your system’s components will be protected from the upcoming weather.

Let Ice Melt Naturally

When there’s ice collecting on your landscaping, it’s tempting to try to melt it quickly. Some homeowners choose to spray their plants down with warm water while others try to melt the ice with heat guns or hair dryers. Doing so isn’t just a waste of water and electricity—it can also scorch your plants. Instead, try to let the ice melt on its own. It may take a few days, but letting the weather handle the task will cause less damage to your landscaping in the long run.

Call in the Pros to Deal With Damage

After any severe weather event, it’s normal to see some type of damage to your landscaping. If you have downed limbs or fallen trees, don’t try to pick up the debris on your own. Instead, make a note of where those limbs are on your property. IF they’re close to powerlines or are blocking the road, call your local Public Works department and let them help with the removal. If the trees are damaged within your property, call your tree service and let them trim back the damage and remove the fallen limbs. This way, you won’t have to worry about injuring yourself or your yard in the process.

Keep These Tips in Mind

If you’re worried about surprise ice storms damaging your landscaping, you’re not alone. Just make sure you follow these simple tips and you’ll be able to keep your landscaping in good shape year-round. If at any point you notice damage to your sprinkler system or just want an experienced landscaping team to give you a second opinion, don’t wait. Contact our team as soon as possible.