How to Take Care of Your Lawn in the Winter

If you’re a new home or property owner in New Jersey, you’re probably wondering what lawn care during winter should include. Although winter grass doesn’t need cutting, there are other tasks that need to be done during the winter to ensure your lawn grows healthy and full next year. 

Lawn care for Winter and Fall goes hand in hand, as you prepare your turf for freezing temperatures and harsh Winter conditions. We’re here to offer your lawn care tips for Winter so that you can enjoy your healthiest Spring lawn yet! Lawn care before Winter

Lawn care before Winter

Pre-winter lawn care is a crucial part of your annual lawn care plan. Fall is the perfect time to prepare your green lawn for both cold weather and new Spring growth. 

Fall lawn care includes a range of services, including aeration, reseeding, and often fertilization, at a minimum. Some healthy lawns require weed or pest control treatments in the Fall as well. Fertilizing and preparing your lawn for Spring growth can also help protect your lawn from wintertime turf diseases, like snow mold. 

The timing of these services is important. Lawns should be prepared for the winter season before the first frost, but not so late in the season that fertilizer hardens the soil and makes plant roots more vulnerable. You can read more about Fall lawn care in one of our many blog posts, or browse our Fall lawn care packages and let Green Roots handle Fall lawn care for you.   

Once your law is properly prepared for winter, you can take a break from mowing and watering, and use this time to prepare for a lush Spring lawn.

Lawn care for Winter

While there’s no need to cut or water your lawn in the Winter, that doesn’t mean you can abandon it altogether. 

Winter is a great time to handle tasks that will help you better maintain your lawn all year round. Once your lawn is aerated, reseeded, and fertilized, you can leave the grass to take a winter snooze then begin germinating at the first sign of Spring. But this is a great time to pay attention to other parts of your landscaping routine. 

Pruning trees is one task that you can save for Winter. Your trees, like your grass, slow or stop growth during the colder winter months. The best time to check in with your trees’ health and shape them up is when they’ve become dormant. It’s a good idea to check in on your hedges, too. 

If you’re planning to expand your grass into other parts of the yard next year, this can be a good time of year to kill off larger weeds and wilder parts of the yard. If you’re planning a garden for next year, be sure to remove large weeds and till the ground before it freezes. This way, plants will be less likely to take root and infest the space in the coming Spring. Be careful about spreading weed seeds as you do this.  

If you have mulch in your yard, this is also a great time to re-mulch. Mulch can help prevent runoff, soil erosion, and weed growth in the Spring. It can also protect vulnerable plants throughout the Winter and prevent compaction from excessive snow. If you have existing mulch, this is also a great time to fluff it up or refresh it. Be sure to clear any large piles of mulch around the yard, which can prevent sun and moisture from reaching your grass. 

Winter lawn care tips

Aside from preparing your lawn for Spring, the Winter is also a great time to prepare your equipment. Here are a few more lawn care tips for winter:

1. Be sure to properly clean and store lawn furniture and outdoor fixtures to prevent snow and ice damage throughout the Winter.

2. Be sure you’re not storing any hazardous liquids that might’ve been used for your tools or lawn mower in outdoor spaces. 

3. Check your lawn mower for any maintenance needs. Many mowers need their blades sharpened every year or two, so this is a great time to do that. Address any missing pieces, rust, or damage from rocks or debris while you have a few months to do so. 

4. Wipe down and properly store your lawn mower for the winter so that it’s not exposed to snow, which can cause damage to your mower. Be sure to remove any large swaths of old grass to avoid mold accumulation and pests. 

5. If you have a sprinkler system, it needs to be winterized and depressurized to prevent damaged pipes. Adjust your timer so your lawn is not being watered into the Winter. 

Lawn care after Winter

Once the Winter thaw begins, grass can start establishing roots and growing new grass blades. Spring is another important time for lawn care, when your lawn may need another round of reseeding and fertilizer. 

Not preparing your lawn for Winter might mean that fewer grasses take root in the Spring. Without proper Fall and Winter lawn care, you’ll need to be diligent about delivering seeds and nutrients to the soil at the right time. Too early, and your grass seed could be killed. Too late, and you’ll be dealing with bare patches or damaged grass for much of the growing season. 

That’s why Fall lawn care and good Winter preparation are so important. Be aware of the changing seasons and the best times of year to care for your lawn. Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of the Winter in preparation for Spring.

If you’re unable to care for your lawn this Fall or Spring, don’t worry. Green Roots Organic is your local lawn care expert, offering professional lawn care services throughout the year. Get in touch with us today for your free lawn care estimate.