How To Tell If Your Yard Is Still Frozen
The winter months usually bring plenty of chill to New Jersey, causing most to stay indoors as much as possible. With spring on the horizon, now is the time to start thinking about landscaping projects, gardening, and yardwork. However, before the work can begin, homeowners should determine if their yard is still frozen.
The ground typically freezes when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The low temperatures cause the water and moisture in the dirt to freeze, which creates a block of ice under the grass. Digging or working in the soil before the lawn has thawed properly can damage the soil structure. Knowing how to tell if the ground is still frozen is one of the first things you should do this spring.
Is the yard still frozen?
When the warm days do finally arrive, we are all anxious to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, happily taking on some early lawn maintenance projects in the interim. However, before deciding it is time to start planting, reseeding, and digging, homeowners should first test their soil to make sure it is ready.
Checking the ground
Thankfully, determining if the ground is still frozen is relatively simple. Walking across the lawn or tapping it with your hand is the easiest way. If the ground is still frozen, it won’t give at all when you walk or push on it with your hand. If you’re still not sure, test an area with a small shovel. When the ground is still frozen, it will be extremely difficult to penetrate the soil.
Let nature do its thing
While some people offer suggestions on how to thaw the ground, including pour boiling water or building a small charcoal fire on top of the area you wish to work, it is not recommended. The best way to thaw the ground is to let it thaw naturally as temperatures increase in the spring. When the soil is ready, it will give way easily to a shovel or other landscaping tools.
Premature digging can cause significant damage to the ground, plants, or grassroots, and patience is sometimes necessary to make sure your lawn looks its best all year long. If you are looking for help with your yard this year, contact Perennial Lawn Care today. We customize lawn treatment programs to help improve the overall look and feel of your backyard.
Posted on