Winter in Central Iowa feels like it lasts about six months, doesn’t it?

Right now, looking out your window, you probably see a whole lot of gray, maybe some dirty snow piles, and a patio that looks a little lonely. It’s easy to curl up under a blanket, ignore the backyard, and wait for the first robin to show up before you even think about your landscape.

But if there is one thing, we’ve learned in 20 years of playing in the dirt (and let’s call it what it is, professional landscaping is just organized dirt-playing), it’s that the best springs are made in the winter.

The homeowners who have those lush, magazine-cover yards in May? They didn’t wake up that way. They were doing the legwork in February.

We’re not suggesting you go out there and start planting petunias in a snowstorm. Please don’t do that. But there is a surprising amount of prep work you can do right now or plan right now, that will save you weeks of headaches when the sun finally decides to stick around.

Here is our no-nonsense, field-tested guide on how to prepare your landscape for spring while the ground is still frozen solid.

1. The “Walk-About” (And Why You Should Do It Today)

Before you touch a shovel or call us for a quote, put on your boots. Seriously, grab a heavy coat and go walk your property.

In the summer, your yard is full of distractions. Flowers are blooming, the grass is green, and you don’t notice the bones of your landscape. But in winter? The landscape is naked. You can see everything.

We tell our clients to look for the “scars” of winter.

● Hardscape Shifts: Here in Iowa, the freeze-thaw cycle is brutal. Water gets into tiny cracks in your pavers or retaining walls, freezes, expands, and pushes things out of whack. Look at your patio. Are any pavers heaving? Is that retaining wall leaning just a little more than it was in November? Catching these issues now means a quick repair in March rather than a total rebuild in July.

● Drainage Issues: Notice where the snow piles up or where ice sheets form on your walkways. That’s a red flag. If water pools there in winter, it’s going to drown your plants in spring.

Pro Tip: Take pictures. We can’t tell you how many times a client tries to describe a problem to us in April, but the snow has melted and they can’t remember exactly where the water was pooling. Snap a photo of the trouble spots now. It helps us design a solution that actually works.

2. Pruning: The Art of Knowing When to Cut

Okay, this is where people get nervous. We’ve seen homeowners go out on a sunny Saturday in January and just hack everything to bits because they’re bored.

Please, put the shears down for a second.

Winter is a fantastic time to prune, but only for certain plants. When trees and shrubs are dormant (asleep), pruning causes less stress. Plus, without leaves in the way, you can actually see the structure of the branches. You can see the “cross-overs”, those branches rubbing against each other. That friction creates wounds where disease enters. Snip those out now.

The Golden Rule: If it blooms in the spring (like lilacs or forsythia), do not touch it.

If you prune a lilac now, you are cutting off the buds that are waiting to open in May. You’ll have a nice shaped bush, but zero flowers. Save the pruning for those guys until after they bloom.

For your oaks, maples, and other non-flowering hardwoods? Winter is prime time. In fact, for oaks, you must prune in winter to avoid Oak Wilt, a nasty disease spread by beetles that are active in warmer months. If you prune an oak in June, you’re basically inviting the beetles over for dinner. Do it now while the beetles are freezing.

3. The Hardscape Health Check

We talk a lot about plants, but your hardscaping like your patios, fire pits, and walkways needs love too.

If you have a concrete or paver patio, winter de-icing salts can be the enemy. We know, nobody wants to slip on ice, but cheap rock salt eats away at concrete surfaces over time. It causes spalling (pitting) and can fade the color of your beautiful pavers.

If you’ve been heavy-handed with the salt this winter, plan to give your hardscapes a gentle wash as soon as the temperature stays above freezing. Get that residue off.

Also, check your outdoor kitchen or fire pit. If you have a built-in grill or a gas fire pit, make sure the covers are secure. We had a client a few years back who left his fire pit uncovered, a family of squirrels decided the gas line insulation made excellent bedding. That was a spicy surprise in the spring.

4. Mulch: It’s Not Just for Looks

A lot of people think mulch is just “makeup” for the yard. It’s not. In the winter, mulch is a down jacket.

Central Iowa winters are weird. We get a week of 0 degrees, then a random Tuesday where it’s 45 degrees, then back to 0. That rapid temperature swing causes “frost heave,” where the soil literally pushes plants out of the ground. We’ve seen perennials sitting on top of the soil in March like they were never planted.

A good layer of mulch insulates the soil, keeping the temperature consistent. It prevents the ground from warming up too fast during those “fake spring” days.

The Mistake to Avoid: Don’t build a “mulch volcano” around your trees. We see this everywhere, mulch piled high up the trunk. That traps moisture against the bark and rots the tree. Keep the mulch flat, like a donut, not a volcano. If you see bare spots now, make a note to top-dress them early in spring, but don't pile it on while the ground is frozen rock-hard.

5. Equipment Prep (The Boring, But Necessary Stuff)

You know what happens on the first beautiful Saturday of spring? Every single homeowner in Des Moines tries to start their lawnmower at the exact same time. And half of them won’t start.

Then the repair shops are booked out for six weeks.

Be smarter than your neighbors.

● Sharpen Your Blades: Dull mower blades tear the grass instead of cutting it. Torn grass turns brown and invites disease. Take your blades off now and get them sharpened.

● Change the Oil: If you didn’t do it in the fall, do it now.

● Check Your Tools: Look at your shovels and rakes. Are the handles cracked? Is the metal rusted? Sand off the rust, oil the metal, and maybe treat yourself to a new pair of high-quality pruners. Trust us, trying to prune a branch with dull scissors is a miserable experience.

6. The Dream Phase: Design Before You Dig

This is the big one. This is the secret sauce to a stress-free spring.

Most people call us in April saying, “I want a patio for graduation in May.” We wish we could say yes to everyone, but by April, our schedule is already packed, and materials can take weeks to order.

Winter is the absolute best time to design.

Why? Because there is no pressure. We can sit down with you (indoors, with coffee) and really talk about your vision. We can look at those “2D Designs” we specialize in without rushing. You can change your mind three times about the shape of the fire pit or the color of the pavers.

If we finalize the design in January or February, we can order the materials so they are sitting in our yard, ready to go the second the frost lifts. While your neighbors are frantically calling contractors who won’t pick up the phone, you’ll be on our schedule, materials secured, ready to break ground.

Planning now isn't just about beating the rush, it's about budget, too. Material prices often go up in the spring. Locking in a quote during the “off-season” can sometimes save you from those seasonal price hikes.

7. Protecting Your Evergreens

Evergreens are tough, that’s why we love them in Iowa but they aren’t invincible.

Have you ever noticed your evergreens turning brown on one side in the spring? That’s called “winter burn.” It happens when the winter sun and wind dry out the needles, but the roots are frozen in the ground and can’t suck up water to replace the moisture. The tree literally dehydrates.

If you have young evergreens or arborvitae planted in a windy spot, consider wrapping them in burlap for the rest of the winter. It looks a little ugly for a month or two, but it acts as a windbreaker. Your trees will unwrap green and happy in spring instead of brown and crispy.

8. The Lawn Strategy

Finally, let’s talk about the green carpet.

If you ignore your lawn in the fall, don’t beat yourself up. But do not try to make up for it by walking on it when it’s frozen or slushy.

Walking on frozen grass breaks the blades. Walking on muddy, thawing grass compacts the soil. Compacted soil is the enemy of a healthy lawn, it’s like trying to grow grass on concrete.

If you have a dog, try to keep them to one specific area of the yard during the muddy thaw season. It’s easier to fix one muddy patch in April than to aerate the entire backyard because Fido ran laps in the mud for three weeks.

Also, if you have Snow Mold (those gray, matted circular patches you see when the snow melts), don’t panic. Usually, a light raking in spring to fluff up the grass is all it takes to cure it. It looks scary, but it rarely kills the lawn.

Spring is Coming (We Promise)

We know it’s cold out there. We know the couch looks more inviting than the tool shed. But taking just a few hours this month to inspect, plan, and prep makes a massive difference.

Landscaping isn't just about planting stuff; it's about stewardship. It's about taking care of the investment you've made in your home.

If you look out at your yard and see potential but don’t know where to start, that’s where we come in. At Larkin Landscape and Design, we live for this stuff. We know the Central Iowa soil, we know the weather, and we know how to make a yard look incredible.

So, go do your “Walk-About.” Check the pavers. Dream up a new patio. And if you want to make sure your spring project actually happens this year, give us a shout. Let’s get that design finalized now so you can spend your spring enjoying your yard, not working in it.

Stay warm, and think green thoughts.

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Snow Removal in Iowa: Residential vs Commercial What’s the Difference

By Andrew Larkin • January 6, 2026

The 4 a.m. Alarm: An Iowa Winter Reality If you’ve lived in Iowa for more than a single winter, you know the sound. It’s not your alarm clock, it’s the muffled ‘scrape-scrape-scrape’ of a shovel hitting concrete before the sun even comes up. Iowa winters are beautiful, sure. The blanket of white over the cornfields is postcard-perfect, until you have to drive through it to get to work or open your shop for customers. That’s when the reality sets in: snow isn’t just weather here, it’s a logistical hurdle. At Larkin Landscape, we’ve spent years battling Iowa’s unpredictable elements, from those heavy, wet snowfalls in December to the biting ice storms of February. One question we often hear from our neighbors in Des Moines, Ankeny, and Iowa City is, "Is there really a difference between hiring someone for my driveway and hiring a crew for my business?" The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It comes down to two things: urgency and liability. Let’s grab a warm cup of coffee and dive into what separates residential snow plowing services from commercial ice management, and why knowing the difference matters for your peace of mind. Residential Snow Removal: Reclaiming Your Morning For homeowners, snow removal is personal. It’s about getting the kids to school safely and not throwing out your back before your first meeting. When you hire a pro for residential snow removal in Iowa, you’re essentially buying time. You’re paying for the luxury of hitting the snooze button while someone else handles the heavy lifting. 1. The Scope is Smaller (But Details Matter) Residential jobs are typically about precision in tight spaces. We aren't clearing acres of asphalt, we’re navigating around your kid’s basketball hoop, your meticulously planted boxwoods, and that one car parked a little too close to the edge of the driveway. Equipment here is different, too. While we might bring a plow truck for a long driveway, we often rely on snow blowers and shovels for the detail work. Why? Because a massive commercial plow can do a number on a residential lawn if you aren't careful. We treat your property like our own, ensuring the snow is moved away from the house (to prevent wet basements when it melts) without burying your mailbox. 2. The Schedule is Life-Dependent Residential triggers are usually simpler. Most homeowners want service after the snow stops falling or reaches a certain depth (usually 2 inches). The goal is clear access. You need to get out of the garage, and the mail carrier needs to get to the door. It’s about restoring the flow of your daily life. Commercial Snow Removal: The Zero Tolerance Game If residential snow removal is about convenience, commercial snow removal is about risk management. For business owners in Iowa, snow isn't just an inconvenience, it’s a liability lawsuit waiting to happen. If a customer slips on a patch of black ice outside your storefront, the consequences are far heavier than just a wet pair of pants. This is where the term ice management takes center stage. 1. It’s Not Just About Moving Snow; It’s About Melting Risk Commercial contracts are intense. We operate with what we call a "zero tolerance" policy for ice. In a residential setting, a little hard packed snow on the driveway might be acceptable for a few hours. In a commercial lot? Absolutely not. This means we aren't just plowing, we are pre-treating surfaces with brine or salting immediately after clearing. Sidewalk clearing becomes a high stakes game. We have to ensure that handicap ramps, loading docks, and emergency exits are down to the pavement. 2. The 24/7 Monitoring Cycle Unlike residential routes that might run once the storm passes, commercial snow removal in Iowa is a round the clock operation. Imagine a hospital entrance or a 24-hour gym. We can’t wait for the snow to stop. We are often out there during the storm, making multiple passes to keep lanes open. We monitor weather radar specifically for ground temperature drops to predict when wet pavement will turn into a skating rink. 3. Heavy-Duty Artillery Remember those snow blowers we mentioned for homes? They rarely cut it here. Commercial jobs require skid steers, frontend loaders, and massive V-plows to stack snow into designated snow piles that won't block visibility for drivers. We have to plan where the snow goes before the first flake even falls, ensuring it doesn't melt and refreeze across the parking lot later. The Science of Salt: It’s Not Just Sprinkling Magic Dust You might think throwing salt down is the universal fix, but in Iowa, it’s actually a science. One thing many people don’t realize is that standard rock salt loses its effectiveness when temperatures dip below 15°F. In January, when we hit those sub-zero wind chills, throwing cheap salt on your sidewalk is like throwing gravel, it won’t melt a thing. This is where the difference in service really shines. For our residential clients, we’re hyper-aware of your landscape and your furry friends. We often use blended products that are gentler on concrete and safe for Fido’s paws. Over-salting a driveway can burn your grass come spring, leaving you with brown edges that are a pain to fix. On the commercial side, however, we often have to use more aggressive treated salts or liquid brine. We can’t risk a ‘slip and fall’ lawsuit, so we use products designed to cut through ice even in extreme cold. It’s a balancing act between safety, budget, and environmental care that requires a professional touch to get right. The Iowa Factor: Why Local Expertise Wins Whether it’s residential or commercial, the Iowa Factor changes the game. Our weather doesn't follow a script. We get those wintry mixes, rain turning to sleet turning to snow, that create a concrete like layer of ice underneath the fluff. National chains that manage snow removal from a call center in a different time zone often miss these nuances. They don't know that the wind whips across the open plains of Central Iowa, causing massive drifts on north facing driveways even after the snow has stopped. At Larkin Landscape, we are local. We know that in Ankeny, the wind chill can freeze a wet sidewalk in minutes. We know the local ordinances in Des Moines regarding how quickly public sidewalks need to be cleared (usually 24 hours). A Human Approach to a Cold Job: We believe that whether you are a frantic mom needing to get the minivan out or a property manager worrying about tenant safety, you deserve a human response. You aren't just a route number to us. ● For our Residential Clients: We promise to respect your property boundaries and your sleep schedule as best we can. ● For our Commercial Clients: We promise documentation. We keep logs of when we plowed and when we salted, protecting you if a liability claim ever arises. Which Service Do You Need? If you are reading this and wondering, "Do I need a commercial contract for my large rural driveway?" or "Can I just hire a neighborhood kid for my small business lot?", here is a quick rule of thumb: ● Traffic Volume: If you have strangers (customers/employees) walking on your property daily, you need commercial grade ice management and insurance protection. ● Tolerance for Delays: Can you wait until the storm ends to leave your house? Residential service is a perfect fit. Do you need the lot clear by 7:00 a.m. sharp regardless of when the storm hit? That’s a commercial necessity. Ready for Winter? Winter in Iowa is inevitable, but the stress that comes with it doesn't have to be. Whether you need your front walk cleared or a shopping center maintained, Larkin Landscape has the local know-how to keep you moving. Don't wait for the first blizzard warning to start Googling "snow plowing services." By then, our schedules and our mugs of hot cocoa are already full. Contact Larkin Landscape Today to discuss your winter plan. Let’s keep Iowa safe, one cleared sidewalk at a time.

Rock vs Mulch Iowa: The Best Choice for Your Local Yard?

Rock vs Mulch in Iowa Landscapes: Pros, Cons & When to Use Each

By Andrew Larkin • January 1, 2026

Discover the truth about rock vs mulch in Iowa landscapes. We break down costs & weed control to help you choose right. Click here to decide today.

French drain cost Iowa, yard drainage Iowa

Drainage Problems in Iowa Yards: 7 Fixes That Actually Work

By Andrew Larkin • December 15, 2025

Tired of a muddy lawn? Explore seven drainage fixes that truly work and find out the average French drain cost Iowa homeowners pay. Read the full guide today.

Commercial Landscaping in Iowa: Maintenance Calendars, Contracts & KPIs

By Andrew Larkin • December 3, 2025

Protect your buildings with expert storm damage restoration Philadelphia after severe weather. Learn an essential action plan for managers today. Get help fast.

Native Iowa Landscaping: 15 Low-Maintenance Plants

By Andrew Larkin • November 18, 2025

Build a low-maintenance landscape with Iowa native plants. Explore 15 prairie perennials that thrive in Iowa for color, pollinators, and easy care.

Retaining Walls in Iowa: Costs, Drainage & Erosion Control

By Andrew Larkin • October 29, 2025

Learn when you need a retaining wall in Iowa, how much block retaining walls cost, and why proper drainage and erosion control matter for your yard.

Seasonal Landscaping Tips: What to Do Each Quarter

By Andrew Larkin • October 15, 2025

Seasonal Landscaping Tips for Your Iowa Home You have to work all year to keep your Iowa property looking its best. Your lawn and landscape need various things at different times of the year because summers are hot and humid and winters are cold and snowy. The key to having a beautiful, healthy, and strong outdoor area is knowing what to do and when to do it. We put together a whole guide to seasonal landscaping just for households in Central Iowa. Follow these tips every three months to keep your property healthy from the first thaw of spring to the last snowstorm of winter.

How to Prepare Your Landscape in Winter for a Healthier, More Beautiful Spring