Preparing Your Landscape for a Billings Winter

Billings winters can be intense. Between freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and strong winds, your landscape faces serious challenges from late fall through early spring. Fortunately, a little preparation can go a long way. With the right steps, your yard can survive winter stress and come back thriving when warmer weather returns.

At Horizon Landscape & Irrigation, we help homeowners across the Billings area protect their outdoor spaces year-round. Whether you’re maintaining a well-established yard or preparing a new design, here’s how to get your landscape ready for a Billings winter.

Start with a Clean Slate
Before the first snowfall, make time for a thorough yard cleanup. Rake leaves, clear out dead branches, and remove annuals that won’t make it through the season. Debris left on the lawn can lead to mold, pest issues, or disease—none of which you want to deal with come spring.

Cut Back Perennials (Selectively)
Many perennials benefit from a fall cutback, especially varieties like hostas, peonies, and daylilies. Cutting them down helps prevent pests and disease. But don’t go too far—plants like ornamental grasses and black-eyed Susans offer beauty in winter and provide food for birds.

Mulch Where It Matters
In Billings’ freeze-thaw climate, mulch helps insulate soil and protect plant roots. Apply a 2–3 inch layer around trees, shrubs, and perennials, but keep mulch a few inches away from trunks and stems to prevent rot.

Water Before the Freeze
Don’t put the hose away too soon. Deep watering in late fall helps trees and shrubs store moisture and reduces the risk of winter burn. Once the ground freezes, it’s time to shut off and winterize your sprinkler system—a must in Billings to avoid costly pipe bursts.

Protect Vulnerable Plants
Some plants need extra care during a Billings winter. Use burlap wraps, tree guards, or windbreaks to shield young trees and evergreens. For broadleaf evergreens, consider using anti-desiccant sprays to help them retain moisture through dry winter winds.

Winterize Your Lawn
Give your grass one last cut before snow falls, trimming slightly shorter than usual. A late-season fertilizer helps strengthen roots and encourages early spring growth. Try to limit foot traffic on snow-covered lawns, which can compact the soil and cause damage.

Plan for Snow and Ice
As you’re winterizing, think ahead. Where will snow be piled? How will it melt and drain in the spring? Keep gutters and downspouts clear to avoid ice dams, and opt for pet- and plant-safe de-icers to protect your lawn and garden beds.

Local Expertise You Can Count On
Billings’ weather is unpredictable, but your landscape doesn’t have to suffer because of it. At Horizon Landscape & Irrigation, we understand the local conditions and offer services to help you prepare your yard for every season—including Montana’s toughest.

Whether you need help winterizing your irrigation system, mulching trees, or planning next year’s upgrades, contact us today to get started.