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How To Maintain a Stunning Lawn and Garden Throughout the Seasons

In Muskoka, landscaping isn’t about perfect lawns or manicured hedges—it’s about embracing the raw beauty of cottage country. Here, granite boulders, native ferns, natural forest edges, and lake views take center stage. Instead of forcing a suburban aesthetic onto a wilderness canvas, homeowners in this region tend to prioritize landscapes that reflect the rhythm of the seasons and the surrounding environment.

So what does year-round care look like when you’re working with, not against, nature? Here’s how to keep your property stunning and sustainable, no matter the time of year.

Spring: Wake Up Gently

As the ice thaws and the first signs of green emerge, spring in Muskoka is more about observation than intervention.

This is the season to walk around your property and see how it fared over winter. Remove any storm-damaged limbs, clear debris from trails and stone pathways, and check in on young plantings. Rather than rushing into aggressive pruning or early fertilizing, take your cues from the land. Let the soil warm naturally before digging or planting, and focus on mulching garden beds with natural materials like pine needles or shredded bark to retain moisture and keep weeds in check.

Summer: Embrace the Wild

Your landscape is at its fullest during the summer. Grasses sway in the breeze, deer wander through open spaces, and gardens bloom with low-maintenance beauty.

Instead of obsessing over mowing schedules or fighting nature with chemicals, let your lawn go a little wild. Allow mosses, clover, and native grasses to mix freely. Maintain clear paths and seating areas, but resist the urge to over-manage. Water deeply during dry spells, but avoid daily sprinkling as it does more harm than good.

Stone features, natural shade, and breeze off the lake will do more to cool your property than anything mechanical.

Fall: Prepare for Rest

Fall is about closing things down with care and foresight. Rather than raking every leaf or cutting back every plant, think about what adds value to your ecosystem.

Leave the seed heads for the birds. Allow leaf litter to shelter overwintering insects. Cut back only what truly needs it—like plants that could collapse under heavy snow. Consider planting late-season perennials or naturalizing bulbs like alliums and daffodils for early spring beauty.

Now’s also the time to check stonework, drainage, and retaining walls for wear and tear before the freeze sets in.

Winter: Let It Be

Winter is a season of stillness, and that includes your landscape. Avoid walking on frozen soil or lawn, especially after heavy snowfalls. Protect young trees with burlap wraps if they’re exposed to harsh winds, and gently shake off wet snow from vulnerable shrubs.

More than anything, winter is a time to plan—think about what worked, what didn’t, and how to evolve your outdoor space to feel more integrated with the natural world.

A Landscape That Belongs Here

Caring for a Muskoka property isn’t about controlling nature—it’s about respecting it. When you embrace native plantings, natural materials, and seasonal rhythms, your landscape becomes an extension of the environment—not a disruption.

Looking for help creating a naturalized outdoor space that works with the land, not against it? Reach out to Artisan Landscapes Muskoka Inc.—we specialize in timeless landscapes that feel like they’ve always belonged.