Winter is part of a natural yearly cycle and one that we associate with dormant plants or even plants that will inevitably die as they’re exposed to the harsh cold. But while it’s easy to believe there’s nothing you can do to protect certain areas of your yard like your grass, you have much more control than you might think. Keeping your lawn healthy so that it’s ready to thrive during the spring all boils down to your winterizing approach. Here are some essential steps that will allow you to winterize your lawn and protect your yard.
1. Clear Debris and Mow One Last Time
When fall comes and debris begins building up on your lawn, it can be easy to think that you don’t need to pick it up as the snow is going to cover up your lawn anyway. However, clearing your lawn can actually be beneficial for it once winter arrives. When debris is allowed to build up, mold and pests can end up affecting your lawn throughout the winter. This means your lawn might not be in good shape once spring rolls around. Make it a point to clear out any debris and mow one last time so that your lawn is ready to emerge happy and healthy. You could even turn to lawn care specialists if you need some additional support with this step.
2. Aerate Your Lawn for Better Drainage
Nothing’s more frustrating than attempting to care for your lawn, only to find that your efforts aren’t fruitful. The good news? It might not be you. If your lawn isn’t properly able to absorb water and nutrients, you can end up with a lawn that looks like it’s fading. The key to improving the absorption of necessary is to aerate and dethatch your lawn. Aerating your lawn serves to loosen soil while dethatching removes dead material that is crowding the space your lawn needs. Both processes are vital in upkeeping your lawn through the colder times.
Much like with the above, you can do this on your own or you can reach out to a professional to get the job done.
3. Fertilize With a Winterizing Formula
It’s easy to overlook the health of your grass and to assume that it’s going to be there once all of the snow melts. However, grass is still a plant that can die without the right attention and care. If you want to make sure that your grass survives until the spring, you’ll want to use a winter fertilizer. Winter fertilizers can encourage stronger root systems, help your grass develop greater pest resistance, make it more resistant to cold, and much more. With the right winterizing formula, you can help your grass survive until spring.
The potential for grass to die or degrade during winter is relatively high, especially if you live in a region that’s known for its harsh winters. Prepare your grass for winter with the tips above, and make sure to follow through with the above each season to keep your grass in optimal health.