Exterior Solutions Landscape

Leaves on the grass in the fall

Winter Lawn Preparation

As winter approaches, it’s important to start thinking about preparing your lawn for the colder months. Taking some simple steps now can help ensure that your lawn stays healthy and green all winter long. Here are a few tips and tricks we suggest so that your lawn thrives come summertime.

Mow your lawn before the snow falls

Mowing your lawn one last time before winter sets in is important for the health of your vegetation. Mowing helps to remove dead and dying leaves, flowers, and grass, which can provide a home for pests over winter. It also allows sunlight and air to reach the base of the plants, helping to prevent disease. A final mow also gives your lawn a neat appearance going into winter.

Photo of a person mowing the grass with a couple of inches of fall leaves on top of it - making for a very messy yard cleanup!

Aerate my lawn - Why?

Before you put away your lawn mower for the season, consider giving your lawn one last treatment: aeration. Aerating your lawn in autumn can improve its health and prepare it for winter weather.

 

So, what is aeration? Aeration is the process of making small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. This is especially important in compacted soils, which can happen due to high traffic areas or drought conditions. Aeration can also help to reduce thatch buildup.

 

There are two main types of aeration: core aeration and spike aeration. Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from the lawn using an aerator machine. Spike aeration involves making small holes in the lawn with a garden fork or aeration spikes.

 

Aerating your lawn in autumn has several benefits. First, it helps to break up compacted soils, improving drainage and root growth. Second, it allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass, giving the plants a boost before winter. Third, aeration can help to reduce thatch buildup, preventing pests and diseases from taking hold over winter.

 

If you want a healthy lawn going into winter, consider aerating it in autumn. Aeration is easy to do yourself with a garden fork or an aerator machine. And your lawn will thank you for it come springtime!

Fertilize your lawn

Fertilizing your lawn in the fall before the winter sets in is key to having a healthy, green lawn come spring. The winter months can be tough on your lawn, so giving it a little extra boost in the fall will help it weather the winter and be ready to thrive come spring. fertilizer

 

There are a few things to keep in mind when fertilizing your lawn in the fall. First, you want to make sure you use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Nitrogen is key to helping your lawn stay green and lush. Second, you want to make sure you apply the fertilizer evenly across your lawn. You don’t want to overdo it in one spot and leave another spot neglected. Third, you want to make sure you water the fertilizer in well. This will help it reach the roots of your grass and give it the best chance to do its job.

 

If you fertilize your lawn in the fall, you’ll be rewarded with a green, healthy lawn come spring. So don’t forget to give your lawn a little love before winter sets in.

Don't forget the flower beds

Applying a layer of mulch to your flower beds in winter is a great way to protect your plants from the cold weather and snow. By doing this, you’ll help keep your lawn healthy and fertilized, which will make it easier for your plants to thrive when spring arrives.

gardener mulching flower bed with pine tree bark mulch

Your potted plants will freeze

When deciding whether or not to bring your potted plants indoors for the winter, there are a few things to consider. The type of plant, the temperature outside, and whether or not your plant is acclimated to indoor conditions are all important factors. If you have any questions about caring for your plants during the winter, be sure to ask a professional at your local nursery or gardening center

Cold weather and snow are on the way

As we prepare our lawn for the winter, it’s important to keep in mind that cold weather and snow are on the way – and we can’t avoid it. But don’t worry – the tips we’ve given are necessary to make sure your lawn stays healthy and green for the next season. 

May your winter be warm and your summer be cool!

Exterior Solutions helps Home Builders, General Contractors and Homeowners install and maintain high end residential and commercial landscaping projects in the Twin Cites Greater Metropolitan Area In the last 15+ years, we’ve completed hundreds of high quality projects on time and on budget. Our landscaping experts understand what it takes to create lasting natural beauty. We know how to make your outdoor areas sustainable and functional.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *