With the cold weather setting in around Albany and Corvallis, you may think that your landscaping projects will have to wait until next spring. Not so! 

While we can't blame you for stepping back from these tasks if you want to take a break, there are a few things that avid landscapers can do to make their properties even more beautiful during the winter months. Here are a few things our real estate agents recommend doing to take your winter landscaping to the next level. 

• Prune Your Plants
  Most of your plants will be dormant in winter, so now is a great time to prune them. Break out your garden shears and trim any dead branches or excess growth off your property's trees, bushes, and other greenery. This will minimize the work you have to do in the spring and set your plants up for optimal growth when the weather warms up again. Make sure you clean up the trimmings when you're done, though – you don't want to leave yourself a mess to deal with in a few months. 
  
  
• Plant Some Evergreens and Shrubs
  Not all plants wither in the wintertime. Adding a few evergreen trees and shrubs to your property ensures that there's always something green and lively growing in your garden. They'll also block some wind and snow and provide extra privacy when you spend time outdoors. Adding just a few of these hardy plants to your garden will create clear focal points within your landscaping.
  
  
• Add Some Lights
  Outdoor lights aren't just for holiday displays anymore! While they still make excellent decorations, you can add clear lights to your winter landscaping to make your property look warm and inviting. Hanging lights look great festooned across fences, sheds, and decks, while string lights can be wound around trees or shrubs to accentuate their shape. You can even try adding wrought iron lampposts for extra decoration. Besides looking nice, the extra bit of light helps add an extra layer of safety to your property and helps ensure you can see if you need to go outside on a dark wintery day.
  
  
• Use Hardscaping
  Hardscaping elements like stone paths and rock gardens can add a lot of appeal to your property. Not only is winter a great time to install them, but they'll also remain visible all year round – even under a sprinkling of snow.
  
  If you already have some hardscaping elements on your property, winter is a great time to repair them or give them a quick power wash. You'll have less mud and marshy ground to deal with while you're working, and you'll get these tasks out of the way so you can focus on planting and fertilizing in the spring. 

Whether you're sprucing up your home for sale or working on your own personal winter wonderland, you won't regret putting in the time to make these ideas a reality. Remember, you can always contact us for help buying or selling your homes in Albany and Corvallis. Our team will help offer insight into how your home can look its best in any season!