As fall is coming to an end and winter is finally arising, preparing your lawn for the colder weather is essential to a perfect spring lawn. Some proactive steps can give your grass the best chance of survival during the harsh winter climate and a great growth in the spring. After a hot and humid summer grass can be stressed with slight signs of thinning, discoloration, and compacted soil. It is ideal to start prepping your lawn in mid fall, as this allows your grass to establish and prepare itself before winter sets in.
The key tools you will need to prepare your lawn for winter include a lawnmower, power aerator, fertilizer, wheelbarrow, spreader, grass seed, and a rake Roger Cook stated in the article. Obviously you do not need every single tool to properly maintain your lawn but it is ideal to have them in your arsenal. Also these items can all be easily found at your local hardware store. Some simple things to start out doing would be to rake your lawn clean of leaves. This helps prevent mold and fungal growth. Mowing the lawn to prevent matting under the snow and keeps the grass healthy during the winter. Aerating the soil will alleviate the compaction process and improve water and nutrient absorption. Lastly applying a fall fertilizer would help nourish the grass roots while also overseeing the patchy spots.
Preparing your lawn for winter is a great way to feel confident about your lawn in the spring, but there are some common mistakes for you to avoid. Make sure not to overwater your lawn, as doing so can lead to fungal growth and root rot. Too much watering will cause your lawn to be consistently soggy, which is not good for a healthy lawn. Over fertilizing can also be bad as too much can burn grass roots and harm the overall soil health. Also, neglecting the abrasion process can do more harm than good as it can cause over compacted soil and lack of nutrient absorption. Lastly, making sure to buy the correct grass seeds for your lawn is crucial as every lawn is different in their own way. Make sure to buy the correct grass seed based on your lawns climate and conditions Roger Clark stated.
If lawn care is not your strong suit and would rather have it done by a professional the option is most definitely available. Approaching the DIY way is more cost effective but much more time consuming. So whether you have the time on your hands or not, hiring a professional to fit your time is a great option. If you hire a professional, expect to pay at least $50-$100 an hour for their labor, experience, and tools according to a professional lawn tender named Angi.
In conclusion, lawn preparation is a crucial part of having a good and healthy lawn in the spring. There are a few important steps to follow and it’s crucial to not skip a step. Preparing your lawn for the winter is your decision and either expensive or affordable whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional. Based on your available time hiring a professional might be the best choice as getting your lawn prepped is better than not at all. Happy lawn prepping and happy winter, stay warm.
