As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, it’s essential to start thinking about how to prepare your lawn for winter. Depending on where you live, that might mean mowing less frequently, aerating your soil, or applying a pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds. In this blog post, we’ll give you some winter lawn preparation tips specifically for Utah homeowners. Keep reading to learn more!
Mowing Guidelines
You should mow your lawn less frequently in the winter months. This is because the grass isn’t growing as quickly, so there’s no need to remove as much material. However, it would be best if you still mowed often enough to remove no more than one-third of the leaf blade at a time. If you cut more than that, you could damage the grass and make it more susceptible to disease.
Begin your winter preparation with a mow. This will provide a clean slate and remove debris to set you up for the following few lawn winter preparation tasks.
Weed Control
Weeds love nothing more than untended lawns, so keeping them under control is an integral part of winter lawn care. The best way to do this is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early fall before the weed seeds can germinate. This will prevent them from taking root and growing next spring.
Manage this process now; you will have less work to do in the spring.
When applying a pre-emergent herbicide, follow the instructions on the label carefully. You should also water the treated area thoroughly to ensure that the herbicide can reach the roots of the weeds.
Aerate your lawn
Aeration is a process where small holes are poked into the soil to improve air circulation and drainage. This is essential in Utah because our winters can be arid. Aeration can help reduce compaction and thatch build-up, damaging your lawn. The best time to aerate your lawn is in the fall, before the first frost.
How to aerate your lawn
If you’re looking to aerate your lawn, there are a few different methods you can use. One is to use a manual aerator, which you can buy or rent from your local hardware store. Another option is to use an aerating attachment for your lawn mower. If you have a lot of acreage to cover, you may consider hiring a professional aeration service.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to follow these steps:
1. Start by removing any debris from the surface of your lawn. This will help ensure that the aerating holes remain open and allow air and water to circulate freely.
2. Decide on a pattern and start aerating in one direction. Be sure to overlap each pass by at least six inches to ensure that the entire lawn is covered.
3. If using a manual aerator, push it deep into the soil. If using an aerating attachment for your mower, ensure the blades are sharp and go over each area twice.
4. Finally, go over the entire lawn with a rake to remove any plugs of soil that have been dislodged.
Overseed your lawn
What is overseeding, and why is it important?
Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed on top of existing turf. It’s a great way to thicken up your lawn, improve its appearance, and crowd out weeds. It’s also essential to winterizing your lawn because it helps protect the grass from cold weather.
How to overseed your lawn
1. Decide when to overseed
2. Remove any debris from the surface of your lawn
3. Choose a grass seed mix that is appropriate for your climate and soil type
4. Broadcast the seed over the entire lawn, making sure to overlap each pass by at least six inches
5. Rake the seed into the soil and water thoroughly
6. Keep the area well-maintained until the new grass has taken root
Fertilize your lawn
Now is the time to give your lawn a little boost with some fertilizer. Fertilizing in the fall helps the grass store food and energy, which it will need to survive the winter. It also helps the grass to green up quickly in the spring.
When applying fertilizer, follow the instructions on the label carefully. You should also water the treated area thoroughly to ensure that the fertilizer can reach the roots of the grass.
Final thoughts
By following these winter lawn preparation tips, you’ll be sure to have a beautiful yard come springtime. Be sure to mow less frequently, aerate your soil, and apply a pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds. With just a little effort now, you’ll be glad you did when your neighbours are struggling with their own yards next year!
Too much work?
Of course, if all of this sounds like too much hard work, you can always hire a professional lawn care service (such as My All Green) to do it for you. We have the experience and knowledge to get your yard in tip-top shape for winter. Contact us today to get started!