The Hamptons' Guide to Year-Round Landscape Care

Living in the Hamptons offers a unique blend of ocean air, sandy soil, and seasonal beauty. But for homeowners, that beauty comes with a challenge: how do you keep your yard looking its best all year long?

From salty breezes in summer to nor’easters in winter, the East End’s climate is as demanding as it is gorgeous. Plants, lawns, and even hardscapes need special care to thrive. This guide breaks down landscape care for each season, with expert-level insight in simple terms. Whether you're a full-time resident or a seasonal visitor, you’ll find practical tips to protect your landscape investment and enjoy your outdoor space in every season.

Winter: Preparing for the Freeze

The Hamptons get cold—really cold. And while snow might look pretty on your hedges, the freeze-thaw cycle can be brutal on plants, soil, and hardscapes.

Key Winter Landscape Tips:

• Mulch before the deep freeze. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch insulates roots and prevents soil from drying out. It also helps regulate soil temperature during sudden drops.
• Protect your evergreens. Windburn is a real problem here. Wrap sensitive shrubs with burlap or apply an anti-desiccant spray to lock in moisture.
• Avoid salt damage. Ice melt products can harm plants and soil. Use calcium magnesium acetate instead of sodium chloride, especially near flower beds or grass.
• Prune selectively. Winter is a great time to prune dormant trees and shrubs. Just don’t prune spring bloomers like lilac or forsythia—they’ve already set buds for next year.

This is also the season to plan. Winter is the perfect time to consult a local landscaping team about upcoming projects. Our team offers expert guidance on how to protect and prep your property before spring arrives.

Spring: Wake-Up Call for Your Yard

Spring in the Hamptons is unpredictable. March might bring snow, while May could feel like midsummer. Timing is everything when it comes to spring landscape care.

Key Spring Landscape Tips:

• Start with a clean-up. Remove fallen branches, rake up leftover leaves, and pull early weeds. Cleaning up now gives plants room to grow.
• Test your soil. Coastal soil often lacks nutrients. A simple pH test tells you what your lawn and garden need. Most Hamptons lawns benefit from lime and organic matter like compost.
• Feed your lawn and beds. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in mid-spring. For lawns, look for nitrogen-rich blends. For flower beds, mix compost into the topsoil.
• Edge and mulch. Define bed lines and add a fresh layer of mulch to keep weeds down and moisture in.
• Plant smart. Choose native or salt-tolerant plants like beach plum, bayberry, and switchgrass. These thrive in sandy soils and are low-maintenance.

Spring is when your yard sets the tone for the rest of the year. The more care you give now, the better your plants will perform through summer and fall.

Summer: Beauty and Battle

Summer brings the show—but also the stress. Heat, drought, and pests hit hard in July and August. In the Hamptons, salty air and occasional drought make summer care a balancing act.

Key Summer Landscape Tips:

• Water wisely. Water deeply but less often. Early morning is best. Focus on roots, not leaves. Lawns need about an inch of water per week.
• Mow high. Set mower blades to 3-4 inches. Taller grass shades the soil and holds moisture better.
• Watch for pests. Japanese beetles, aphids, and grubs are common. Inspect plants regularly and use natural pest control when possible.
• Deadhead flowers. Removing spent blooms encourages more growth and keeps beds looking fresh.
• Weed aggressively. Don’t let weeds take over. Pull them out before they seed.

Summer is also the time to enjoy your landscape. Whether you’re hosting weekend guests or lounging by the pool, a well-maintained yard adds both beauty and value.

Fall: Wind Down and Prep

Fall in the Hamptons is crisp and colorful. It’s also the most overlooked season in landscape care—but it’s one of the most important.

Key Fall Landscape Tips:

• Fertilize your lawn. Fall feeding helps roots grow strong before winter and ensures a greener lawn come spring.
• Aerate and overseed. Aerating relieves compacted soil. Overseeding fills in bare spots and thickens your turf.
• Rake regularly. Don’t let wet leaves smother your grass. Mulch or compost them instead.
• Plant bulbs and trees. Fall is the best time to plant spring bulbs like daffodils or structural plants like boxwood.
• Clean and store tools. Drain hoses, store pots, and clean up garden tools before the freeze hits.

Fall is your last chance to set your landscape up for success. A few simple tasks now will make your spring much easier.

Local Tips Just for the Hamptons

The Hamptons’ landscape comes with its own set of challenges. Sandy soil drains fast, which helps prevent root rot but makes it harder to keep moisture and nutrients in the ground. Adding compost often helps fix that. The salty ocean air can also dry out plants, especially after storms, so rinsing leaves and choosing salt-tolerant species can help.

Deer are another common issue. Plants like boxwood, ornamental grasses, and Russian sage are better choices for deer-heavy areas. For added protection, repellents or low fencing can be useful. And don’t overlook storm prep—strong winds from nor’easters or summer storms can cause real damage. Trim weak branches and secure patio items ahead of time to stay ahead of the weather.

Why Year-Round Care Pays Off

Great landscaping isn’t just about looks—it adds real value. A healthy yard boosts curb appeal and prevents expensive damage down the line. It also supports local wildlife, especially when you use native plants, and gives you more outdoor space to enjoy year-round.

But the key is consistency. Miss a season, and your landscape can slip out of balance. Regular care across all four seasons keeps your yard strong, beautiful, and ready for anything.

Final Thought

The Hamptons’ natural beauty is a gift—but it comes with responsibility. With the right year-round landscape care, your yard can stay strong, healthy, and stunning, no matter the weather.

If you’re looking for help maintaining or improving your landscape, we’re here to make that process easy and stress-free. Let us handle the heavy lifting so you can enjoy your outdoor space in every season.