(Newswire.net — February 7, 2021) — Winter is the best time to rest from lawn maintenance as no weeding or mowing is required. However, that doesn’t mean homeowners can completely abandon their lawn. Numerous simple winter maintenance tips can help keep the lawn looking lush even after the winter. The most important lawn maintenance steps are taken before the winter sets in. The first frost approach means it is time to lower the blade of the lawnmower to shorten the length of the grass and discourage rodents from taking shelter in the lawn over winter.
It might also be necessary to aerate the lawn before the first frost to relieve compaction. The next step would be applying fertilizer and letting it seep in throughout the season. Here are proven tricks to maintain a lawn in winter.
Aeration and Applying Fertilizer
Aerating a lawn allows some extra air to penetrate to the grassroots. You can use a spade to make holes and take out soil clumps before planting seeds. You might require a manual or motorized aerator for aerating a large garden. Homeowners can apply fertilizer using a spreader. Hold the handle like a trigger as you move the spreader back and forth over the garden to allow the release of pellets once you take your hand off the handle. It is highly recommendable to follow the manufacturer’s application guidelines to ensure you apply only the recommended amount. Applying too much fertilizer could burn flowers and grass on your lawn.
Rake and Water the Garden
Dragging a rake over the garden can help cover the seeds and break clumpy soil. Then use a hose spray to water the garden and make sure that the soil is always moist. It is vital to remove any leaves, toys, and debris out on a garden. Debris and leaves can smother the grass and cause harmful diseases. They can also invite damaging pests and insects. Thus, cleaning up a lawn in winter is one way to keep it healthy ahead of the spring season.
Keep Weather Conditions In Check
Lawns are resilient and can tolerate cold weather conditions. However, some extreme conditions can harm a lawn in the long run. As such, it might be worthwhile to get rid of any exposed ice ahead of a deep freeze or winter storm.
Lower Your Mower’s Height
Lowering the height of a lawn mower before mowing can help prevent diseases. Long grass is more prone to diseases and can smother itself. Long grass is also highly vulnerable to thwarting and freezing conditions. Be cautious not to cut the grass so short to avoid exposing it to extreme conditions and scalping it.
Spread Cool-Weather Grass Seeds
Purchase grass seed labeled cool weather on the package. Use the same spreader for applying fertilizer to sprinkle these seeds over the garden. Use a rake to spread the seeds evenly so that they don’t clump up.
Winter can be unpredictable and can expose a garden or lawn to extreme conditions. However, there are proven ways to prepare a lawn ahead of a cold winter season. The most important step is hardening off the grass. Start by putting the lawn to bed and shift focus on building snowmen and clearing sidewalks. It might also be necessary to monitor the weather for any extreme conditions that might affect your lawn. You might also need to minimize traffic on the lawn because grass exposed to elements and snow have little tolerance to traffic. Discolored grass will be slower to green up and can cause compaction in the spring. Don’t shovel salt onto the lawn, as it can derail your other lawn care efforts. However, less harmful salts, including calcium chloride-based mixtures, can work well for a lawn.