Posted on November 1, 2024 by Lawn Doctor
As jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkin spice get replaced with cornucopias and sleigh bells, your lawn begins to halt any growth for the year. Since your lawn is inactive for the winter months, it doesn’t require as much maintenance, but winter lawn care is still necessary. Keep reading to learn why preparing your lawn for winter is important and how to prep your lawn so you have healthy grass come springtime.
Many people believe they can ignore their lawns in the cold winter months, but this is far from the truth. After all, you can’t expect to neglect your landscaping for months and have a healthy lawn as soon as the weather warms up.
Winter maintenance is light, but the few tasks you have to do are essential to avoid costly problems in the spring.
If you’re wondering when to winterize your lawn, maintenance is something you have to keep up year-round, and you can start preparing for winter as soon as the temperatures drop.
However, some states have restrictions and cutoff dates for winter fertilization. For example, New Jersey has a blackout period from November to February.
Here are the vital steps you need to take to prepare your lawn for the winter.
When getting your lawn ready for winter, apply herbicides to any weedy areas. Weed issues worsen if ignored, so it’s best to take care of them before the next year.
Additionally, cool-season grasses might experience snow mold in winter. This lawn fungus thrives in cold, wet conditions and can kill your grass. You can prevent snow mold by applying a winter fertilizer (dormant feeding) before the first frost. This fertilizer helps the grass store nutrients to survive the winter while minimizing growth during the colder months.
Heavy blankets of snow put pressure on the grass, causing it to brown out or die. To limit this damage, avoid walking on the lawn; foot traffic can severely worsen this problem.
Another winter stressor to grass is salt. To protect your grass from rock salt, avoid shoveling snow full of salt onto it and salting areas near it. If possible, use a calcium chloride-based mixture, which is less harmful to turf.
While you’re working on your winter lawn care, remove any objects from your lawn before winter starts. Grass trapped underneath outdoor furniture, toys and decorations can die due to a lack of sunlight.
Also, rake leaves thoroughly from cool-season grasses before winter. Here’s an important tip: Clear the yard before the first frost to make leaf removal easier. Otherwise, you may accidentally rip up turf when raking over frozen grass.
Make sure to mow your lawn one last time at a low mower height before winterizing your lawn mower. This term refers to the process of fixing up and properly storing your lawn mower at the end of the mowing season. These tasks include:
For a more detailed guide, check out our blog on winterizing your lawn mower for storage.
Grass grows slower in colder temperatures, so your lawn’s irrigation needs are lower. Make sure you adapt your irrigation schedule to prevent overflowing and damaging your lawn with excess water.
Both warm-season and cool-season grasses start growing again in spring. Watch for when your lawn begins to grow so you can mow and water again. Just as in winter, stay on the lookout for weeds and diseases.
Need someone to help you out? No matter the time of year, Lawn Doctor is here to help you achieve a beautiful lawn. Contact us today for a lawn care evaluation or to schedule an appointment.
Contact Lawn Doctor to help care for your lawn when you can’t.
You just finished a heavy meal, and wondered to yourself if...
Have you ever come cross a beautiful crisp, green lawn...
