Winter is on its way, and it’s the perfect time to start preparing your natural grass lawn for the cold weather ahead. Before you cuddle up and hibernate for the winter yourself, make sure you tuck your yard into bed correctly so that you reap the benefits of a healthy lawn in the Spring.
Here is a step-by-step checklist on the best cold weather, winter lawn care:
- Rake the leaves off of your lawn – Start by cleaning up unnecessary clutter on your lawn, including leaves. This part will take some time so having a buddy to help would be a great strategy! The reason you want to rake your leaves up is to prevent snow mold from growing beneath any soggy layers of coverage. As leaves fall, frosts come, and ice melts, layers of leaves can become a breeding ground for fungus or mold.
- Mow your grass lower – Continue your winter lawn preparation by cutting your grass down to 1 or 1 ½ inches so it will be easier to aerate and compost. Also, if you’re starting out with taller grass, try to cut it down in increments over a few mowings instead of all at once.
- Aerate your lawn – After mowing, aerate your lawn on a day where the soil is a little bit moist but not soggy; a core aerator won’t really work too well on dry, hard soil.
- Top-dress your yard – Prepare for seeding in areas where grass is scarce by spreading a ½ inch layer of cured compost. This way, your lawn’s balding areas will be prepped to make a comeback in Spring.
Pro tip: Use a leaf rake to work the compost to guarantee best results. - Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize! – Distribute fertilizer evenly across your lawn by using a rotary spreader. Also, using a fertilizer with higher phosphorus levels will help stimulate root growth, but check to make sure the concentration you choose is right for the condition of your lawn. You may want to research what works best on the type of grass growing in your yard.
- Overseed to be safe – Once you’ve prepared and fertilized your lawn, distribute seed using a spreader. Make sure to keep the spreader in motion for the most even results.
- Rake and water your lawn – Use a rake to mix the seeds into the compost and water lightly a couple times a day until the seeds sprout. Afterwards, only water once a day for 15 to 30 minutes.
Following this checklist ahead of winter will ensure that you’ve laid the groundwork for a healthy natural grass lawn in the new year. Maintaining a beautiful natural grass lawn is all about consistent, regular care, so don’t forget about your outdoors just because Frosty came to town! If you need help prepping for winter contact us here.
