Keep Your Winter Lawn Safe From The Weather
When it comes to winter lawn care, mowing may be over, but there are still some steps homeowners can take to protect the grass from winter weather. Taking care of your lawn now will assure it grows into a vibrant and lush landscape when spring returns with its warmer temperatures.
Tips For Winter Lawn Care
1. Aerate
It is important to aerate a lawn before the first winter frost occurs so there is room for water and nutrients to make their way to the roots and grass can breathe before it stops growing. Proper winter lawn aeration helps alleviate some of the built-up thatch that occurs during the warmer months, so the grass grows lush again in the spring.
2. Fertilize
Just as winter makes it hard for some animals to survive, a winter lawn can struggle as well. By fertilizing grass after aerating, you provide the necessary nutrients it needs to manage harsh temperatures and snow storms. It stores these nutrients getting a head start on spring when the warmer temps arrive, and it begins to grow.
3. Seeding
Preparing your lawn with fertilizer is just one step in properly feeding it. If your grass has dead spots or is starting to look bare, over-seeding it in the winter is a good idea. Especially after aerating the lawn because seeds can easily move into the ground giving them a better chance at establishing deep roots in the spring.
4. Pull Weeds
Weeding is never a fun task but is necessary for proper winter lawn care. Weeds smother grass and soak up the nutrients faster than the grass is able. By removing weeds, you are giving more nutrients and water to the grass that you want to grow.
5. Get Rid of the Leaves
Some leaves on the lawn are beneficial, but too many leaves can be harmful once the weather turns cold and snow arrives. Wet leaves are a breeding ground for mold, fungus, and unwanted pests. Rake and remove leaves prior to wet weather and avoid smothering the grass and creating dead spots that you won’t find until spring.
6. Don’t Walk on It
Too much foot traffic during the winter is deadly to grass. Once it is cold and snow or ice have arrived, grass is brittle and easily damaged. Excessing walking or driving can cause grass to die and prevent it from growing healthy come spring. Block grass off with a rope and remember to keep walkways clear, so visitors are not tempted to take a shortcut.
Investing time in your yard during the winter will save you a few headaches in the spring. Contact Perennial Lawn Care to learn how our lawn care programs can help save you time year round.
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