7 Tips to Protect Your Lawn During Winter

Generally, lawns endure harsh conditions every winter. It’s a wonder some lawns recover at all after being buried in snow and subjected to months of freezing and thawing. And please let’s not forget the harmful salt.

It can be easy to lose track of lawn care when you don’t have the reminder of overgrown grass, or piles of colorful leaves. In the winter, it’s most likely your yard is under a bunch of snow. You simply need to remember, that lawn care isn’t something you only concern yourself about in the spring and summer. No, fall lawn care and prep can set the tone of your lawn for the year to come.

If you want your lawn to remain in good condition over the winter months so that it is prepared for the following spring, try incorporating some of these tips and tricks to help protect it during winter.

1. Take time to conduct one last maintenance check.

During the lawn’s dormant winter months, a thick layer of leaves may cause harm, so removing them before winter sets is best. This, of course, involves raking, trimming, aerating, and fertilizing. Clear away any large debris or plants, or trim your grass. Aerating the soil breaks up compacted areas and allows water, oxygen, and sunshine to reach the grassroots where they are most needed. In the same way, giving your grass one more dose of fertilizer in the fall can give it a boost of nutrients and vitality just in time for spring.

2. Stay off the grass as much as possible during the winter months.

Sometimes we forget we shouldn’t be walking on our lawn when it is too brown and short. Try to keep people and pets from creating any paths in your yard at all-times of the year, but especially in the winter. You don’t want them compacting your lawn down, because it is the season when your soil is most prone to doing just that. While grass can withstand a fair amount of wear and tear, a well-trodden path will make it very difficult for the grass to recover.

3. Fix the weeds that come back every year.

You can never totally eradicate weeds, no matter how hard you try. At the same time that your lawn is storing up food for the winter, weeds are doing the same thing. Applying a topical pesticide to the soil’s surface kills the plant’s leaves and stems without harming the plant’s beneficial soil bacteria. Afterward, if you still see weeds when you do the last tour of your lawn and garden, please get in touch with a professional lawn care service to get rid of them.

4. Get rid of any troublesome trees.

You should thoroughly inspect all trees in your yard before the first snowfall. Check for any indications of injury or illness. Cut down branches that might fall and cause damage to your home’s roof, electricity lines, gutters, or parked automobiles. (Remember, snow is heavy) The next step is fertilizing them to have enough nutrition to survive the winter.

5. Keep your lawn tools in a safe and secure location.

Don’t overlook the instruments you use to maintain your lawn! It is crucial to properly dispose of gasoline and oil from power tools such as lawnmowers, edgers, and string trimmers. In the case of rechargeable tools, remove the spark plugs or batteries. Remove any dried grass, mud, and dirt, and give it a thorough cleaning.

6. Lawns Are Vulnerable to Ice Melters

Whether you have never used an ice melt solution or use them often, it’s essential to keep an eye out for any harm it might do to the lawn. It is crucial to use caution while using any substance designed for melting. When shopping, be sure to read all labels thoroughly. You would be so upset if you did all this preparation for the winter to have something burn your grass. (Trust me, it happens.)

7. Work with a professional lawn care service.

Let a professional lawn care service handle your lawn care requirements throughout the year. They should be able to provide comprehensive lawn care like aeration, weed and pest treatment, and more. Whatever you do, get your lawn ready for winter so it looks great throughout the holidays and gives you much less work to do in the coming spring.

Conclusion

Strive to protect your lawn during the winter month. This will help your grass survive the winter, so it can quickly recover and thrive in the spring.