Keep your lawn clean from debris
While raking leaves is no one’s favorite chore, it’s an important part of a healthy lawn. Things like tree limbs, leaf piles, and children’s toys can damage your grass if they’re left out long enough. These objects block out sunlight and suffocate grass blades, creating dead spots, compacting soil, and leaving unsightly brown patches. Make sure to get all your yard work done before your grass goes dormant, then leave it alone all winter long. Try not to even walk on it!
Fertilizer to improve growth
It doesn’t get very cold here, which makes it safe to fertilize in the winter. The intense heat of the summer can stress out your grass and deplete nutrients from the soil. Winter is the perfect time to help your grass regain its strength and grow its root system. This will help it survive any frosts or freezing weather. Look for a slow-release fertilizer that will keep your grass fed all season long with a mix of these essential nutrients:
- Nitrogen to restore carbohydrates, giving your grass energy.
- Phosphorus to stimulate root growth.
- Potassium to increase your lawn’s cold tolerance.
Seeding bare patches
Your grass is pretty tough, but seedlings are more fragile than established plants. This means summer can be especially brutal and cause new grass to die. For the best results, seed bare patches in the fall or winter, as long as the temperature is above freezing. This gives seedlings the optimal conditions to sprout, and they don’t have to compete for resources because your existing grass is starting to slow down and become dormant. Getting this out of the way now means you can enjoy a thick, lush lawn in the spring!
Don’t forget to water your lawn!
Just like any other time of year, your lawn still needs water in the winter. Sometimes rainfall is enough to keep the soil moist, but if your grass starts to wilt or looks dull then it’s time to pull out the sprinkler. Thoroughly watering encourages deeper roots and helps you water less frequently. Just make sure the temperature is above 40 degrees and water mid-day if possible to let the water soak into the soil before nighttime.
Keep your hoses and sprinklers safe
If you leave a hose attached, water can stay inside the pipe by the spigot and freeze, damaging the hose and pipe as the ice expands. To protect your home and gardening equipment, disconnect your hoses and sprinklers in the winter when they aren’t in use. It’s best to store them out of the elements, like in a garage or shed. If you have to keep them outside, make sure all the water is drained out of the hose before coiling it and don’t let it sit in rainwater.
Need help with your lawn during the winter? Contact got lawn?
It might sound simple, but taking care of your lawn isn’t always easy—both in the winter and any other time. No matter the season, got lawn? has you covered! We offer comprehensive lawn care services to help with stubborn weeds, nutrient deficiencies, and everything in between. Set your lawn up for success, contact us today to talk with one of our experts and learn more
