The Ultimate Guide to Winter Lawn Care
Winter is coming. The snow is around the corner and it will not only be hard on us but also to our lawns. Your beautiful lawn will also feel the effects of the harsh weather. It has spruced up so nicely during summer but you have to prepare it for winter. Otherwise, it may not make it during the tough weather.
Lawns grow best in the spring and summer and that is when they are most beautiful. During winter, they may wither a little bit and change color to pale green due to snowing. However, you still need to take care of your lawn to keep it healthy with the following ways;
1. Aerating
The soil underneath the lawn gets compacted after grass grows. It makes it difficult for nutrients and water to flow freely and may make the grass to dry up. To change this, you should create small holes in the grass with an aerator that will enable air, water, and nutrients to be put to reach the lawn’s roots.
For my small lawn at my backyard, I use a manual fork to create holes on the lawn. I then follow this up with throwing in fertilizer for the grass and water.
2. Fertilizing the Lawn
After my soil testing results came back, the recommendation was that I needed to apply some lime to neutralize the acidity levels. The application of fertilizer will give your lawn the much-needed nutrients to protect your lawn from degenerating during winter.
3. Avoid Snow Pilling
You should spread snow evenly on your lawn instead of pilling it on one spot. The weight of the snow causes soil compassion which makes the ground harder. The soil below the area where snow has been gathered becomes too hard and does not allow easy movement of water, air, and nutrients which are the key elements making your lawn lush.
4. Mowing
I reduce my grass size during winter to reduce rodent infestation and to avoid snow mold. Snow mold can cause your grass to dry and you should avoid it by keeping your lawn cut to small size. When it is possible, make sure your lawn is cut.
5. Raking
My lawn is next to two huge trees who shed off leaves during winter and drop on my lawn. They leave droppings that can cause water to build up which may lead to fungal infections on the grass. I recommend that you remove the leaves as often as possible whenever you notice them lying on the grass. Do not be tempted to leave them for too long to collect them all at once because they may have caused damage by the time you pick them.
6. Debris Removal
During winter, the storms sometimes leave so much debris on my lawn. The debris is a mix of tree branches, flowers, wood, and branches. I often have to brave the cold to clear them up because they affect my grass so much. I once left them unattended and I lost my lawn which I had to redo during spring.
7. Weeding
Weeds start to reappear after a few drops of rain in winter. If you leave your lawn unattended during the whole winter period, it will be full of weeds and you will find it hard to remove them at that time. The best way to manage them is to remove the few that appear because you will be able to prevent them from growing further. Weeds can completely vanquish your lawn if unattended. They grow tall to deny water to your grass and their roots take away all the nutrients that your grass would have needed.
Conclusion
With these 7 essential activities, you are sure to avoid losing your lawn during winter. I reserve most care of my lawn between spring and fall but I still have to take of it during winter and it is the most envied lawn in my neighborhood.
Go outdoors this winter and enjoy the lawn care. When your cheeks are getting hit by the cold, your lawn is getting greener and you will have less work to do on it during spring. There is no better feeling than having a green lawn that has survived the tough weather. It is such a relief to enjoy the beauty.
