Care for Your Lawn in Winter

During the cold weather you should ensure that there is no new growth on your grass as this will make it more susceptible to diseases and pests. To do this gradually, lower the cutting height of your lawnmower until you are practically grazing the grass. Undertake this in stages over several weeks as you don’t want to abruptly take off all the tissue or inflict more damage to the turf. You don’t want to let the grass grow longer than two inches during the winter months.

Apply fertiliser to your grass at the end of fall. Even though this won’t be utilised by the grass over the winter it will be reserved in the roots and be instantly usable by the grass in the Spring as new growth starts. Reseed brown or bare areas in the Fall. The grass seeds will sprout in the colder weather.

Clear up any trash from the lawn before the severest weather. This includes leaves, grass clippings, equipment, pots etc. If left in place when it begins to snow these will smother the grass underneath the covering of snow and cause damage which can make the grass vulnerable to disease. During the winter, although the lawn grass grows very slowly weeds will multiply rapidly so you should often take out weeds to stop them from harming the turf.

Also you should still water the lawn during the winter, although less often than you would in the warmer weather. For most varieties of lawn grass watering each week should be plenty. Other types, e.g. rye grass, Kentucky Bluegrass and tall Fescue grow quickly in the winter and will need more water at this time.

Should you use a watering system empty out all the water to avoid damage in icy weather. You do not want to get it out the following Spring only to find the pipes are damaged and full of holes.

With some care your grass will get through the winter in good shape and be healthy and green when it starts to grow again in the Spring.  Winter lawn care is easy if you follow our guidelines. You’ll find more information on lawn care at lawn mower reviews.