Currently, our lawn is covered with a blanket of fresh snow. Nothing compared to what our neighbors to the north received (more than a foot fell there in less than 5 hours). We just have a couple of inches, but it is enough to get me thinking about what should be done out there prior to the inevitable—I know that we were spared by this storm, but next time I can guarantee we won’t be as lucky.
Here are five things you should do before your yard hibernates under a blanket of snow this winter:
1. Aerate. (Otherwise known as poking holes in your yard.) If you haven’t already done so (most homeowners aerate in the fall) you should do so now. Why would you want to rip holes in your yard? Simple, the very small holes allow water and fertilizer to penetrate below the soil surface. Aeration helps promote good root growth when the grass begins growing again in the spring.
2. Test the Soil. If you don’t have a soil test kit you can pick one up for free (or in some places for a small fee) from your county’s extension office. If you find that you need to change your lawn’s pH, keep in mind it’s not a quick process, and it’s best done when the grass is not actively growing. If you test your lawn and find it is too acidic, you’ll need to apply lime (ever visit a park in the winter and notice pellets spread over the grass—typically they are palletized lime). Likewise, if your soil is too alkaline, you’ll need to apply sulphur to even things out.
3. Rake. Even if you don’t have leaves strewn across your front yard you’ll want to give the grass a thorough raking with a metal rake at least once. By doing so, you’ll loosen and remove thatch, which is a layer of dead grass that forms as you mow and as the grass grows. This goes back to tip one—the idea of aerating and giving your grass room to breathe in the spring. If you do have leaves covering your yard, raking is even more important. If you don’t rake leaves they’ll suffocate your grass and could cause unwanted disease.
4. Mow. Don’t pack away your lawn mower just yet. Lawn experts recommend that you continue to mow your lawn as long as the turf is growing to prevent such things as snow mold.
5. Mower Maintenance. Once your lawn is dormant, don’t forget to do a little winter mower maintenance. Drain the gas, give it a good cleaning, get the blade sharpened and change the oil. That way when spring rolls around you have one less project to complete.
Related Articles: