Does Winter Lawn Care Matter?
Does winter lawn care matter? I’m sure many of you have been like me in the past and said or thought, “It’s winter, so lawn care doesn’t matter now!” Well, I was wrong, and if you think this well, you are too.
Does Winter Lawn Care Matter?
Even in the winter, your lawn benefits from care. Winter lawn care can make a huge difference in your lawn next spring. Here are are few reasons why.
Protecting the Grass from Disease
Good winter lawn care protects your lawn from damage caused by frost, snow, and disease. It’s essential to clear your yard of debris to avoid leaving the door open to disease. Mowing one last time in late October or early November, before the ground freezes, is also important.
Maintaining Soil Moisture
One of the best ways to protect your lawn from desiccation — extreme dryness — is to deeply water it before winter sets in and the ground freezes.
“Desiccation is death from drying during winter – winter drought. Desiccation is usually greatest in areas where the soil was dry going into winter or where there was little snow cover or precipitation during winter.” — Purdue Ag, Cool-Season Turf Winterkill: Potential Losses and a Pathway to Recovery
If you didn’t deep water your lawn in the fall, try watering during a warm period. Indiana always has a few warm winter days.
“Water only when the temperature is above 40 degrees F and there is no snow or ice on the ground near your trees. Water early in the day, so the plants have time to absorb it before the temperature drops at night.” Arbor Day Fondation — winter tree watering tips
Preventing Pests from Taking Over
When you don’t care for your grass in winter, it suffers and becomes weakened, which invites insects, grubs, and more. It’s food and shelter for pests. And once they take hold, they can damage roots, leading to brown, thinning spots. These can be difficult to repair come spring. Some bugs, such as beetles, lay eggs that survive the winter, which leads to even more problems in the spring. Continued maintenance throughout the winter helps keep pests from establishing a foothold in your yard next spring.
Setting Your Lawn Up for Spring Success
So, does winter lawn care matter? Yes, it does. When you maintain your lawn this winter, you can ensure your grass will be ready for a beautiful spring.
How Can We Help?
Berger Hargis has a company philosophy of providing personal excellence for all our services. Our growth and success have been due entirely to our commitment to honest, excellent customer service. The company is built on the referral business we have received due to this philosophy.
If we can solve a landscaping problem for you, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
About the Author
Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.
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