We don’t always think of our lawns at the start or during the winter months, but the work you put into your yard now and the upcoming months will really show come springtime! At NJW, your home remodeling experts, we know there are a few things you can do to ensure your lawn will be beautiful and lush once spring arrives. Preparing your lawn for winter will keep it healthy so it’s ready for spring!
Cool-season lawns should be fertilized in fall when temperatures are cooling off (like now) but while the grass is still growing. Fertilizing in fall, when temperatures are still in the 50s, will help grass plants keep their green color into the winter months. More importantly, it will promote healthy root growth, which helps grass get off to a good start in spring. Never fertilize when the soil is frozen as it serves no purpose, and most of the fertilizer will wash away. Who wants to waste time and money on something and not reap any reward from it? Not us!
Whenever you use fertilizer, follow the directions on the label. More is not better.
Mowing Your Lawn for Winter
As the weather becomes cooler, continue to mow your lawn until it stops growing. When leaves fall from the trees during this time of year, feel-free to mow over them, they will decompose quickly and add organic matter to the soil.
Weeding Your Lawn in Winter Months
The best way to control weeds in any lawn is to concentrate on taking care of your grass. Healthy grass shades the soil, keeping new weed seeds from germinating. During the growing season, mow your lawn at the appropriate height and water regularly if it doesn’t rain.
Fall is a great time to control weeds. You can dig them up or spot-treat problem areas. If you use herbicides, be sure to pay attention to specific temperature guidelines. On cool days, when the temperature is 50 degrees or warmer, weeds are actively growing and the herbicide will be more effective. When it is cooler than that, the herbicides may not be as effective, so again, do not waste product or time if you will not reap the rewards of your effort!
Aerating Your Lawn in Winter
During the fall, your lawn is preparing for winter, which means it’s enhancing its roots. Aerating will help your lawn increase root growth, allow it to breathe and minimize thatch build up. Minimizing build up is important because thatch makes your lawn susceptible to diseases and insects and reduces its tolerance to drought. Aerating your lawn will help contribute to a fuller and thicker lawn in the spring, giving you more time to enjoy a greener lawn throughout the summer.
These are just some tips as we enter fall and start to peek at winter. Investing in your home is something we believe strongly in and that includes the outside! You should love your home, inside and out!