Protecting Your Landscape from Deer, Bugs & Winter Damage 🦌🍃

As fall transitions into winter, your landscape faces new challenges — hungry deer, lingering pests, drying winds, and the threat of frost. October through December is a crucial window to protect your investment and prepare your garden for the cold months ahead.

At Maple Leaf Farms, we understand what New Jersey homeowners face every year, and we’re here to help you keep your landscape strong and beautiful until spring returns.

This comprehensive guide explains how to identify deer damage, prevent winter burn, control pests naturally, and shield your plants from cold weather stress.

🌿 Why Fall Protection Matters

As temperatures drop, plants slow their growth, redirecting energy to roots. However, their tender shoots and evergreen leaves remain vulnerable. Without protection, winter damage can undo years of growth.

Common winter stressors include:

• Deer browsing – Stripped bark, broken branches, or chewed foliage.

• Desiccation – Wind and sun deplete moisture faster than roots can replace it.

• Frost cracking – Temperature fluctuations cause bark splitting.

• Pests overwintering – Insects lay eggs on branches or soil.

Taking preventive action now ensures a lush, healthy rebound come spring.

🦌 Identifying & Preventing Deer Damage

Deer are charming in the woods but destructive in your yard. In fall and winter, their natural food sources dwindle, making your evergreens, shrubs, and ornamental trees prime targets.

🪵 What Deer Damage Looks Like:

• Ragged edges on leaves or stems – Deer tear rather than clip cleanly.

• Bark stripped or gouged – Bucks rub antlers on young trunks during rut season.

• Plants sheared halfway down – Shrubs often appear “flattened” or uneven.
  

🚫 Prevention Strategies:

1. Deer Repellents: Use commercial sprays like Liquid Fence, or Plantskydd. Alternate products every few weeks for best results.

2. Netting & Fencing: Wrap susceptible shrubs (like Arborvitae or Yews) with deer netting. For larger areas, install 6–8 ft fencing around gardens.

3. Burlap Wraps: Burlap serves dual purpose — it protects from deer and winter burn. Wrap from the ground up around Arborvitae, Boxwood, or Junipers.

4. Plant Selection: Choose deer-resistant plants for vulnerable spots: Lavender, Boxwood, Juniper, Barberry, and ornamental grasses.

Tip: If you notice browsing, act fast. Deer learn quickly — early deterrence prevents repeat visits.

🐛 Late-Season Pest & Disease Control

While most insects disappear by late fall, many overwinter in soil, bark crevices, and leaf litter.

🐞 Common Culprits:

• Scale Insects: Attach to stems and feed through winter.

• Spider Mites: Thrive in dry, cold air.

• Bagworms: Eggs overwinter on Arborvitae and Spruce.

• Fungal Spores: Linger on fallen leaves, waiting for spring moisture.

🌿 Prevention & Treatment:

1. Clean Up: Remove fallen leaves, especially under Roses and fruiting trees.

2. Dormant Oils: Apply horticultural oil in late fall to suffocate overwintering pests.

3. Inspect Evergreens: Look for cocoons (bagworms) and prune them off.

4. Avoid Overwatering: Moist soil + cool air = fungal growth.

Pro Tip: At Maple Leaf Farms, we carry trusted plant-safe treatments and can guide you on proper application timing.

❄️ Protecting from Frost, Wind & Sun Damage

Even hardy plants can suffer from winter burn and frost shock. Evergreens like Arborvitae, Boxwood, and Rhododendron are most at risk.

🌬️ How to Prevent Damage:

• Anti-Desiccant Sprays (Wilt-Pruf, Vapor Guard): Create a protective coating that locks in moisture. Apply when temps stay above 40°F for 24 hours.

• Burlap Screens: Position burlap barriers on the windward side of evergreens.

• Mulching: Add 2–3 inches of mulch to regulate root temperature. Keep it away from the trunk to avoid rot.

• Watering: Continue watering deeply until the ground freezes. Hydrated roots endure cold better.
  

⚠️ Avoid These Mistakes:

• Don’t wrap plants in plastic (it traps moisture and encourages mold).

• Don’t prune heavily before frost — it stimulates tender new growth.

• Don’t ignore sunscald; use trunk guards on young trees.

🪴 Protecting Container Plants & Raised Beds

Containers and raised planters lose heat quickly. Protect them by:

• Moving pots against sheltered walls or into garages.

• Grouping containers together and mulching around them.

• Wrapping pots in burlap or insulation fabric.

• Watering occasionally during warm spells to prevent soil from drying completely.

🌱 Fall Maintenance Checklist

Use this checklist to finish strong before winter:

✅ Wrap or fence vulnerable plants

✅ Apply deer repellent

✅ Spray anti-desiccant on evergreens

✅ Remove fallen leaves and debris

✅ Add mulch to root zones

✅ Water deeply before the ground freezes

✅ Inspect for pest eggs or fungal growth

✅ Clean tools, hoses, and garden beds

🌳 Recommended Products (Available at Maple Leaf Farms)

• Deer & Rabbit Repellents (Liquid Fence, Plantskydd, and Many More)

• Burlap & Tree Wraps

• Anti-Desiccant Sprays (Wilt-Pruf)

• Mulch & Organic Soil Amendments

• Garden Tools & Gloves for seasonal cleanup

Our staff can help you choose the right supplies for your specific plants and exposure level.

🌾 When to Stop Watering & Feeding

By late October, feeding slows down. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers — they trigger soft growth that winter will damage. Switch to root-strengthening products instead.

Water deeply one last time before the ground freezes, especially for new trees and shrubs. This helps roots store moisture through winter.

🌤️ Looking Ahead: Preparing for Spring

Preventing damage now means fewer problems later. Healthy evergreens and shrubs rebound quickly, while protected soil stays nutrient-rich for spring planting.

📍 Visit Maple Leaf Farms

Address: 525 US-9, Manalapan, NJ 07726 Website: www.mapleleaffarmsnj.com Phone: (732) 851-4400 Instagram: @mapleleaffarmsnj Facebook: /mapleleaffarmsnj