Holiday Greens After-Care Guide

Keeping your garland, wreaths, and planters fresh all season long

Your holiday installation is made with premium evergreens — but like any living material, they need a little care to stay lush through Chicago’s winter weather.

Hydration is Key 💦

• Mist your greens every few days with water, especially if temps are above freezing. (A spray-bottle is perfect for this!)

• Focus on the areas exposed to direct sun or wind.

• Avoid soaking any electrical components!

Seasonal Longevity 🌲

• Expect your greens to stay full and fragrant for at least 4 weeks, depending on weather.

• Boxwood, balsam, and Fraser fir hold longest; cedar and pine varieties dry faster.

• Spraying with an anti-desiccant (like Wilt-Pruf) weekly can extend freshness, but avoid using when it’s below 35-40°F.

Mind the Elements ☀️

• Cold weather helps preserve freshness — your greens will last longest when temps stay below 45°F.

• If there’s an unexpected warm spell, give them extra misting.

• Direct sunlight and heating vents near doors can dry out garland quickly.

Winter Containers 🪴

• Yes, your winter containers still need to be watered!

• During your install, I’ve thoroughly watered your container. The frequency of watering depends on daily temperatures:

  • 50° - every week

  • 33° - 40° - every 10 days

  • 32° or below - no water needed

• Once it freezes, your container will have a great base to withstand the winter elements!

For Lit or Battery-Operated Decor 🔌

• If your display includes lights, use outdoor-rated batteries or extension cords only. (These are the batteries we use for installs.)

• Extremely cold weather can drain batteries quickly, so you may need to replace to maintain brightness.

• Always remove lights and batteries before composting or disposal.

Bows + Decorative Accents 🎀

• All ribbons are outdoor-rated, but high winds and heavy rain can shift them.

• Gently re-fluff or reposition if needed.

End-of-Season Removal ♻️

• We partner with WasteNot Compost for eco-friendly pick-up and composting of fresh greens at the end of the season.

• If your display includes rental elements — such as faux garland, decorative wreaths, or lighting — these will be collected during your scheduled removal. Please do not discard or store these items on your own, as they’ll be reused and refreshed for future installations, or properly recycled.

• If you’ve already booked your removal, we’ll confirm your pickup date in late December or early January. If not, send us an email to add this service! goldcoaststoops@gmail.com