How to maintain a healthy lawn in cold weather
Lawn care can be extra challenging during cold weather months. The winter season can subject your lawn to harsh conditions, hindering its growth and development.
If you’ve been struggling to keep your lawn healthy and thriving every winter, here are six valuable tips that can help.
1) Prepare your lawn
Prepping your lawn before the cold weather sets in is integral to keeping it healthy. Clean your yard by removing weeds, fallen leaves, debris, dead plants, and any elements that can impede its growth.
Properly cleaning your lawn increases your grasses’ chances of getting the nutrients and sunlight that they need to thrive. In addition to cleaning, finding grass for cooler climates should also be a pre-winter lawn maintenance priority.
2) Aerate your lawn
Aeration is an essential part of lawn care. It facilitates the efficient flow of oxygen, sunlight, water, and essential nutrients toward your lawn’s root system. Aerating your lawn also mitigates soil compaction and minimizes thatch. Make sure to aerate your lawn before the cold season begins. Aerate it when the soil is moist, as it will be challenging to create holes in dry and hard surfaces. Remember to use a garden rake or an aerating tool to make the process more manageable.
3) Keep it well-nourished
While feeding your lawn is mandatory throughout the year, using regular fertilizer is not advisable during winter. Utilize a specially formulated or winter fertilizer, as they have higher potassium content, which can help your grass survive the cold season.
Potassium can also strengthen your grass so it can function properly and become more stress-tolerant. Make sure you know your grass type to help you choose the fertilizer that suits it best. You can use zoysia grass plugs if you have spots in your lawn that need filling, or if you want to plant a new lawn. Also, avoid applying too much fertilizer as it can damage your lawn.
4) Be gentle with your lawn
Your lawn is most vulnerable during the cold season when it’s under a pile of snow or ice. Stay off your lawn as much as possible and avoid subjecting it to stress. Remove any furniture or equipment that can damage the grass, as it can’t repair itself until after the season changes. Manage the foot traffic and direct it elsewhere.
5) Watch out for weeds
Weeds are generally tougher than grass, even during winter. They can spread incessantly while staying hidden under the veil of snow. It is vital that you routinely check your lawn for weeds and take the necessary steps to prevent them from growing. Since removing them manually is difficult due to the cold climate, look for a herbicide that can eradicate the weeds efficiently without damaging your lawn.
6) Get rid of lawn pests
In addition to weeds, you should also look out for signs of pests, as they can take sanctuary in your lawn during winter. They can take advantage of your grass and assume residence without you noticing it. Some pests to be mindful of include ants, spiders, ticks, and fleas. If you’re unable to manage these lawn pests independently, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance immediately.
Care for your lawn in the cold season
Caring for your lawn during the cold season requires careful planning and preparation. Follow these preventive and corrective solutions to ensure your bed of green grass is healthy and strong all year round.
