Lawn grass become dormant during winter in most parts of the country. A beautifully manicured lawn becomes a distant memory once winter arrives. The sight of soggy, patchy grass will rouse the need to take action. Is that you? Well, you’ve arrived.

Spending a few hours on your lawn is a wise investment. Just remember though, the practice of lawn care should be performed throughout the year, but the seasonal extremes, winter and summer, demands a nuanced approach. Do your due diligence, but in the meantime this article will highlight the fundamentals in caring for your lawn during winter.

The 5 Steps To A Healthy Winter Lawn

1. Mowing the Grass – Before frost and snowfall begins, reduce the height of the mower. The young grass on top is less robust than the roots. It can easily be affected by winter conditions and ultimately lead to thatching and turf diseases. Turf is resilient and is dormant during the winter period. Growth accelerates as temperatures rise through the summer time.

2. Fertilizer – Many advise you to avoid fertilizing your lawn during winter. However, there are potash and phosphorus based fertilizers especially made for winter that would encourage healthy growth of the plant until summer arrives. These fertilizers could be purchased from usual fertilizer shops and can be very important for caring for the lawn during the harsh winter season.

3. Aeration – Your lawn needs to breathe. It needs moisture and nutrients right down to the roots if it is to survive until the summer arrives. The practice of aeration does this for you. Aeration should be done before the snow or frost appears. A hollow tin or drum aerator can be used to break up the soil on large lawns.

4. Scarifying the Lawn or Removing Debris – Damp weather is a positive breeding ground for many winter diseases. Clearing the debris such as leaves and moss before the snowfall and frost can help keep your lawn healthy during the winter. Watering the lawn is generally not needed during the winter.

Whether you’re caring for an established lawn, or you’re reading this after laying turf, these tips will benefit you. Remember, winter is your lawns off-season. Winter lawn-care needn’t be intensive, but it’s a must for long-term lawn health.