Is lawn care possible even in the harshest winter months? We will be discussing the importance of lawn winterization, and offering suggestions for maintaining it during winter months.
Why should I winterize my lawn?
Fall fertilizing works because plants respond to environmental triggers that begin the process of preparing for winter. As the days get shorter and the air gets cooler, turfgrass slows down growth and shifts food resources from its leaves to its roots. Despite the fact that air temperatures continue to drop, plants’ roots are still active in the soil. This holds true for many types of plants, including grass.
The secret to plants’ spring return is to shift excess nutrients to the roots. These food reserves are the fuel for spring’s awakening. You feed the roots by fertilizing them in autumn.
Your lawn’s nutrient requirements change as the weather turns colder. Potassium is a key ingredient in winterizing fertilizers. Potassium is an important nutrient for overall plant health. Potassium is a nutrient that works at the cellular level to make plants more resilient to stress and cold. Potassium is also important for the balanced feeding of your lawn. It helps plants absorb other nutrients. How can I care for my lawn this winter?
Here are the lawn care tips for this winter
Keep on Moving
During the fall season, water your lawn and mow it as necessary. As the season ends, reduce the mower’s setting to the lowest setting for the final two cuts of the year. This will allow for more sunlight to reach the crown and less leaf to turn brown in winter.
Air The Soil
Fall is also a great time to aerate your grass so that water, fertilizer, and oxygen can reach the roots. A gas-powered, portable lawn aerator can be rented for as little as $70 per day. This self-propelled machine can quickly dig holes in the soil and remove dirt plugs. Hire a lawn care contractor if you have a large yard, such as more than 3 to 4 acres.
Rake The Leaves
Although raking leaves may not be everyone’s favorite pastime, it is important to get rid of fallen leaves as soon as you can. Do not wait for all the leaves to fall before you start raking. You should not wait until all the leaves have fallen to the ground before you start raking. The leaves will get wet from the rain and morning dew and stick together creating an impenetrable mat which will choke the grass and spread fungal diseases.
It is important to not leave any debris, leaves or toys on the lawn. These items can smother grass, invite pests, and create disease conditions.
A lawnmower equipped with a vacuum or collection bag can be used as an alternative to raking leaves. These are especially useful if you have large yards with deciduous trees. No matter what type of lawnmower you use, make sure that the leaves are removed before they become a soggy mess.
Fertilize
Many lawn experts agree that fertilizing your lawn once a year is too often. Instead, fertilize it in the fall. Why? The reason? Rhizomes are horizontal plant stems found just below the soil’s surface. They produce the grass blades above and the roots beneath. Applying fertilizer in the fall provides essential nutrients to the grass for deep roots to develop now, and for keeping nutrients available for next spring.
Then, wait until the middle to late fall to apply dry lawn fertilizer. Be sure to not miss any areas. A crank-style broadcast spreader is possible, but you can get the best coverage with a walk-behind spreader. Although it takes longer to apply fertilizer evenly, especially in hilly areas, a drop spreader is the most effective way to do so.
Fill In The Bald Spots
Autumn is a great season to repair any bald patches or bare spots on your lawn. An all-in-one lawn-repair mixture is a best and fastest way to accomplish this. This ready-to-use mixture is available at most garden centers and home shops. It contains grass seed, organic fertilizer, and special quick-starter formula.
To remove the soil from the bald area of your lawn, use a garden rake. Spread a thick layer on the lawn repair mixture. The mixture should be compacted lightly. After that, water the area every other day for two more weeks.
You are creating a path for lush, healthy lawns when you winterize them. It takes effort to maintain a healthy lawn all year. It can be difficult to maintain a lawn year-round.
Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service now if you need help in maintaining your lawn.
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Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/
