March 13, 2019 For most homeowners and businesses, the coldest season of the year typically involves clearing snow from pathways and the roof. However, there is always a worry that your lawn will not be in the best shape come spring if you don’t carry out even basic maintenance. The good news is, there are a number of ways you can care for your lawn in winter. By following these tips from Front Range Arborists, when spring arrives, you should have a lawn that is healthy. We understand the challenges you will face in winter and we are always here to provide advice and services to keep your garden looking fresh and vibrant. First Frost Do you struggle to mow your lawn after the first frost? If so, we have some good and bad news for you. The good news is, you should stop mowing your lawn after the first frost. The bad news is, continuing to do so will expose the lawn to the harsh elements of winter. Dryness and evaporation occur during winter when grass is cut too short. This, in turn, allows bacteria to thrive in your lawn and cause stunted growth. You don’t need to mow your lawn and you actually shouldn’t. Once the temperatures dip below zero, it is time to leave the grass alone to hibernate for the winter. There are plenty of other jobs you can use to satiate your need for gardening and maintenance; none of which will cause unintentional damage to your lawn. Add Mulch The cold can wreak havoc on a lawn during the winter months. If you want to prepare your lawn for the impending frost and snow, a thin layer of mulch is your friend. By adding mulch before the temperature drops too low, you are protecting your lawn from all the detrimental effects of inclement weather. Don’t worry too much about how the lawn looks at this stage. When spring comes, normal maintenance resumes and all shall return to normal. The purpose of adding this layer of mulch is to protect both your grass and the deeper layers of soil that help to promote healthy growth in the spring. Cold weather can penetrate these layers and cause complete freezing during the winter months. Making sure your grassroots are not exposed to the frost is a highly effective way of ensuring a healthy lawn come spring. Isolate Your Lawn Everybody loves snow and a lawn is a flat area that provides the perfect site for a snowman or two. However, walking on a snowy lawn in winter is not a good idea. Grass becomes brittle when it is frozen, which means it loses its resilience and will snap underfoot. If you or your family are constantly walking all over the lawn, don’t expect to see healthy grass after the thaw. Use your pathways to skirt around the lawn and, if possible, cordon off the lawn completely to discourage people from using it as a shortcut. The work and care you will have to put into your lawn in the spring will be greatly reduced if you make it a no-go zone when the winter frost or snow has settled. Water Build-up It is vitally important you prevent water buildup on or around your lawn. Water that is the result of melting snow needs to drain away without causing damage. Additionally, if water doesn’t drain away, pests that like moisture will appreciate the opportunity to move into new dwellings. The fungus is also a concern when snow water is not properly draining away. This is the kind of issue that should prompt you to consult with Front Range Arborists for further advice or services. We can carry out a lawn inspection to get to the root of what is causing water to settle in your lawn. Do not take risks with invasive pests and fungus that have the potential to destroy your plants and trees. Tend to Weeds Weeds are persistent and really don’t care it is winter. This is your time to remain vigilant and look for weeds. Resilient types of weeds will rise up, even when it is cold, and take root in your lawn. While you don’t have to tend to your lawn, it is important to pull any weeds you see so they haven’t grown wild by the time spring arrives. As mentioned, you should avoid walking on your lawn too much over winter. When looking for weeds, limit your inspections and try to tread as carefully on your lawn as possible. You don’t want to damage the grass, but you want to catch those weeds when they rear their ugly heads. Lawn Equipment Lawn equipment is an extension of lawn care and should not be forgotten in winter. Do not leave lawn equipment and gardening products outside during the winter. Fertilizer and grass seed do not fare well in the cold. These products are made up of organic elements, making them susceptible to frosty weather. If you have any concerns about lawn maintenance in winter, Front Range Arborists can help. Contact us today for a consultation of services. Find out more about how Front Range Arborists can help provide services to residential, commercial, and municipal institutions with all of our Tree Services: Tree Pruning Stump and Tree Removal Shrub Pruning Fire Mitigation Fertilization Winter Watering Pest Control Tree Preservation
