It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing color, the days are getting shorter, and winter is right around the corner. For many homeowners, this means it’s time to start preparing their lawns for the first snowfall. Thankfully, this blog post has you covered! Below are seven tips to help you prepare your lawn for winter and reap a green lawn next year.
Tip #01: Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating your lawn is one of the best things you can do to prepare it for winter. This process involves making small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Not only will this help your grass stay healthy during the winter, but it will also make it green up faster in the spring.
Tip #02: Overseed Your Lawn
Although overseeding throughout the summer season would be considered a bad idea, doing it in the fall can actually be quite beneficial for your lawn. Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed on top of existing turf. This will help thicken up your lawn, fill in any bare spots, and make it more resistant to disease.
Tip #03: Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn in the fall is a great way to give it a boost of nutrients before winter. Look for a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These three nutrients are essential for healthy grass growth.
Tip #04: Remove Debris from Your Lawn
Leaves, twigs, and other debris can do a lot of damage to your lawn if they’re not removed in a timely manner. Not only can they smother the grass, but they can also attract pests. Be sure to rake up any leaves or other debris that have fallen on your lawn. This includes removing them from gutters, as well.
Tip #05: Cut Your Grass One Last Time
You should continue to mow your lawn until the grass stops growing. This is typically around the end of October or early November, though it depends entirely on where you live and the forecast for snow. On your last cut of the season, be sure to get every last blade of grass. You don’t want to leave your lawn looking patchy going into winter.
Tip #06: Water Your Lawn
Even though the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler, your lawn still needs water. In fact, fall is one of the best times to water your lawn. The roots of your grass will continue to grow until the ground freezes, so they’ll need all the water they can get.
Tip #07: Avoid Salt
Even though Canadian winters are known for their ice and snow, one of the worst things you can do to your lawn in the winter is to use salt. This common de-icing agent can kill grass, so it’s best to avoid using it altogether, even if you only apply it to your driveway. This is because the salt will leak into your lawn with rain and snow, leaving your grass harmed. Look for a pet-safe or environmentally-friendly de-icer instead, as these products typically don’t contain salt.
Final Thoughts
By following the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to having a healthy lawn all winter long! Just remember to keep up with your lawn care routine and don’t let the cold weather stop you from taking care of your grass.