During much of the year, your lawn is your pride and joy. However, as winter approaches, you need to make sure that you care for your lawn properly. Otherwise, by the time spring rolls around, it may not be in great shape. Even when your lawn is buried beneath the snow, you still need to make sure that you take good care of it.
It’s Time To Put First Things First …
Before it snows, be sure to clear your lawn of any debris, such as fallen leaves, sticks, stones, and other objects. A layer of leaves can rob your lawn of much-needed sunlight, and trying to remove leaves in the spring after they have been decomposing all winter can be difficult.
It is best to mow your lawn short before winter comes. If you leave the blades of grass too long, they will be bent by the weight of the snow. This will prevent the air from properly circulating around the grass, making your lawn vulnerable to snow mold and other diseases.
Keeping your lawn short during the winter also helps it to grow more quickly in the spring. During the winter, the blades of grass often turn brown. When spring comes, these need to fall off before new plants can grow. The longer the brown blades are, the longer it will take for them to be replaced with fresh, green grass.
Be sure to take in any lawn furniture and store it properly during the winter. If you have to leave it outdoors, cover it up to protect it from damage. Clay pots or statues should be kept inside to protect them from damage caused by freezing and thawing.
Your lawn mower may not see much use during the winter, but you can’t just stick it in the garage and forget about it. If you do, you may find that it refuses to run once spring arrives. Drain the gas tank and the oil and change the spark plug.
And Finally …
Clean any remaining grass clippings or other debris from the underside of the mower. This can also be a good time to have your blades sharpened. If you wait until spring, everyone else will be trying to get their blades sharpened at the same time.
Preparing your lawn for the winter takes some thought. If you take the time to follow these steps, your lawn will look great as soon as winter ends.