How you care for your lawn before and during the winter months makes a difference in how healthy the grass will be from spring to summer. Here are seven tips for winterizing your lawn to ensure it’s at its best when the weather warms.

Continue to Mow

No one wants to hear it, but this task needs to continue until the grass stops growing. Not only does it look neater when it’s trimmed regularly, but it makes raking leaves easier. Mow it shorter before the first snow. This helps it hold up better under the weight of snow and ice.

Keep the Critters Away

Mowing your lawn shorter before the snow arrives also makes your lawn less inviting to rodents and other creatures. Burrowing animals looking for warmth make winter nests in taller grasses. When the snow melts away in the spring, these areas show significant damage.

Fertilize

Feed your lawn in late fall or early winter if you have cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass. The nutrients you give your grass at this time help it heal from summer’s extreme heat, drought, foot traffic, plus any pest damage. And it gives the grassroots food to survive the cold months ahead.

Clean up

Put away lawn furniture, toys, plant pots, and any other objects in the yard before the first snow. These items leave behind dead spots on the lawn if left on the grass throughout the winter.

Don’t Leave the Leaves!

Whether you rake, power blow, or mulch, make sure to clear the lawn of leaves before the first snow. A thick layer of leaves creates a moist blanket that blocks out sun, air, and nutrients. It also creates a damp environment where fungal diseases, like snow mold, can thrive.

Remove Thatch

If this layer of dead grass and debris is too thick during the winter months, it smothers the lawn and impedes drainage. Get rid of thatch by giving the turf a good raking or using an aerating machine.

Trees and Shrubs

When it comes to winterizing your lawn, don’t focus just on the grass. It’s a good time to look over your trees and shrubs well. Look for broken or dead branches and remove them. Spread mulch around tree and shrub bases to protect the root systems from the cold weather.

We Can Help with Winterizing Your Lawn

Call Free Spray Lawn Care at 419-529-5296 and let us help you take care of all of your landscaping needs any time of the year.